Stumbling Through The Enchanted Forest

(Roleplay, RoTG) Starlight, Starbright

Tue, 01 Jan 2013 22:16:00 -0600

” Starlight, Starbright,

Keep the Dark away, tonight.

Shine a path and fight my fright;

Please fill the shadows up with light. “

((if you want a longer introduction, read this ficlet: The Light Denied The Fallen Darkness. It was the Prequel//Inspiration for this. Loxiemightpossibly is playing OCs, I’m Playing Pitch/Kozmotis Pitchiner. Enjoy! We’ll post updates as they accumulate.))

((NOTE: Pitch is a bit retconned, in this; he’s been possessed by fearlings for centuries- he’s not bound to remember that much trauma and terrible bullshit all at once. DEAL WITH IT.))

The pond was even colder than the ground, and the water seemed frozen all the way through to the bottom, but it was the only place in the woods where there was light that couldn’t escape him, and he pulled himself toward it with the last of his waning strength. The shadows seemed to dog at his heels in the darkness, as if they were raring to pull him back…to take him and tear him apart like the vague memory of what he was sure were nightmares, because he knew that word when the rest of his head was a jumble of nonsense and feelings and fear. There was light here, though, and the moon was full and the shadows couldn’t find him, and they couldn’t take him-

-he shuddered and curled up atop the slick ice and pressed his hands over his ears, because he was sure that he could hear them screaming, and he didn’t understand…he didn’t know, and he wanted it to be over. The screaming and the whisper and the cold touch of fear curling around his heart, as if it were fighting him…as if it wouldn’t let go. He closed his eyes and blocked out the delirious visions and the cacophony of sound he was certain only HE heard, and…his eyes felt wet, and he thought he heard them laughing…and he didn’t remember the purpose of tears, so he let them fall and freeze against his cheeks, and he pulled his legs up closer and tried to bask in the light of the moon against the frozen water, even when it felt cold and unwelcoming.

He needed it- the light…the escape it granted and the brightness it cast, and there had to be something, anything, that would protect him from the things that he could barely remember. It took ages, centuries, for him to open his eyes again, but when he did he felt so cold that he knew he should open them, and…then he saw them in the sky, dancing around the moon. The stars. Would the stars turn him away…? They were so small, but they were so bright…

“…I want to be safe,” he whispered, in a voice that almost shook him. It sounded hoarse, as if he’d been drowning, screaming for years and years…and he swallowed around his cracking throat and coughed, but he had to continue- someone, something, had to hear him, because he didn’t know how safe he was or what he was running from…but he knew that he must RUN. He had to get away, before they came back, before they knew he was there, and free-

They can smell fear, his hysterical mind whispered silkily, and he forced himself to speak again, because he knew that he was scared. He hurt, and he was alone, and he was terrfied.

“…I want to be safe, I just wish I were safe…I need to be safe- I don’t want to be alone- I can’t be…they’ll…they’ll come back…I can’t get away, again…please…”

———————————————————————

Wide green eyes tracked the lightning bugs as they danced across her father’s balcony, little fingers reaching up to follow their trails, though she knew better than try to catch them and risk crushing them. They were many numbered, but each one was precious and special, each of their little bodies lit up with the wish of a child. Once upon a time, one of these little glowing wishes had been hers and Annabella was never, ever going to forget that. Not everyone’s wish got granted, but they were so important, regardless, and so, so pretty.

Everything about the Observatory was pretty, though. It sat at the top of their house and it looked up at the starry skies, open and beautiful. She thought it was probably important to see the stars, because they were where the wishes went before the lightning bugs got them and brought them here. Technically, she wasn’t supposed to be in the Observatory. It wasn’t that Da’ didn’t trust her, but he worried about her despite knowing that she already knew that sometimes the wishes were mean and ugly and sometimes they were really, really sad. So, she wasn’t allowed in the Observatory, but that didn’t stop her from sneaking in, whenever her Da’ had to leave to go take care of a very, very important wish.

“There’s a lot more of you guys than usual, tonight.” She whispered to one firefly, as it lighted upon her wrist - it was just a little one, from a little girl who wished her big sister wouldn’t tease her so much. Annabella shooed it away after admiring it’s faint glow, and then she hopped her way over to the telescope, careful of the few little critters who were resting on the floor. ”Are you having a party? That’s not fair. You guys are really tiny, so I can’t hear your party music. But I forgive you - parties aren’t really my thing anyway.”

But looking at the stars was! She peered down the eyepiece, then, checking up on the wish her father was working on - the star was very bright and easy to spot, and it was still twinkling double-speed, so she knew that he’d be gone for a while longer yet. Plenty of time to play and whisper reassurances to the fireflies and pretend that she was a wishing star, too. She spun on her heel, long ginger hair trailing after her, and she surveyed her pretend kingdom for a long moment before she pouted and squinted. Let’s see - where to start?

“My mother and your mother were hanging out the clothes. My mother punched your mother right in the -…” She didn’t get the chance to finish her choosing rhyme, though, and it had little to do with the fleeting fancy of childhood and much more to do with the fact that the perfect firefly to start with had wondered straight into her vision. She could tell immediately that it was one her Da’ would take care of, as soon as he got back - it was big and fat and bright, all the signs of a Big Wish. She knew she shouldn’t - she really, really wasn’t supposed to look at the Big Wishes, because sometimes they were the worst, but …what Da’ didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him, right? And he’d never know that she peeked! Her curiosity was just too big to contain in her tiny little body!!

She cupped her palms around it, bringing it close to her face even though she didn’t need to, and she closed her eyes so she could see the wish better -

~…just wish I were safe…please…~

- She jerked away with a gasp, tears already thick on her lashes as she tried to find her breath. That man - he was so scared and lost and lonely. Annabella remembered being like that. She remembered being so tiny and alone and she remembered looking at the stars and wanting to hard and so fiercely, and so desperately. She never ever wanted to feel that way ever again, and she never, ever wanted anyone else to ever have to feel that way. This wish needed to be granted - but Da’ was still too busy with the other one, she knew, and this man…he didn’t sound like he could wait.

Annabella made a decision, then, even if she knew she’d get in trouble for it - she was gentle as she set the firefly back down, determination set in her little face.

“You stay right there, little friend. I’ll be right back, and then we’ll help the Wisher.”

-~*~-

The star-filled sky did little to answer Kozmotis’ pleas, of course - the stars twinkled and winked, but they could give no real response. Not like the Man in the Moon could, and chose not to. Still, even as heartless, glowing distant objects in the sky they were made of wishes. One lone star streaked through them, fast and determined but not without it’s own brand of levity, but Kozmotis wouldn’t have time to ponder it’s meaning or not-notice it, in his fear, because there was a startled ‘oomph’ from the shore of the pond, and then a small figure was stumbling out onto the thick ice.

Annabella only barely managed to keep her feet underneath herself, and with an indignant hmph she shoved all of her hair out of her face - it wasn’t hard to find the Wisher. He was the only other person around, and even for as strange as he looked, he looked so sad. Annabella slip-slided her way over to him, either ignorant or uncaring of the dangerous shadows around them, and she gripped his arm as she fell to her knees next to him.

She wasn’t scared, of course - not of the ice, or the shadows, or the man in front of her. Being scared was for people who didn’t know what fear really meant, and Annabella had once been scared of everything, before she’d met the stars.

“Hey,” She whispered, because even though he couldn’t not know she was there, she didn’t want to startle him - he looked really skittish. ”Hey, I’m gonna make sure you’re safe, okay? It’s gonna be fine.” She fumbled in her backpack, then, before she pulled out a flashlight with a triumphant crow. ”See, you don’t have to be scared. It’s just the dark.” She flicked the flashlight on to prove her point, scattering the shadows away, and then she offered it like a gift to the Wisher.

“I know what it’s like to not feel safe, too, but I got better and I’ll make sure you get better, okay? You’re gonna come with me, because being all alone isn’t good for you.”

———————————————————————

The poor shadow-dogged man had no idea that his plight was actually being heard; he only knew that he’d found light and that he was safe, for now…that they couldn’t go where there weren’t shadows, which left him curled up in the one safe place he thought he’d found, even if it left little shelter and most of his body freezing, between the wind and the ice just below him. His eyes had long since closed again and he’d tried to pretend like he was somewhere else…but his thoughts came up lacking, and it frightened him further that he couldn’t remember anywhere else. That all he seemed to know was this- this and darkness, and shrieks and whispers in his ears, in his head and heart, that never seemed to cease. he couldn’t remember what he had DONE or where he had been before this, and past that he wasn’t sure he knew who or what he was…

…he only remembered darkness. Cold and Darkness…and the pond was cold and light, so it was better, and it became the world that he latched onto- the place that the shadows and whispers wouldn’t follow him. His own shadow didn’t stretch to the shore of the pond, and that somehow reassured him; it let him know they couldn’t come, wouldn’t, and it soothed only a small portion of the panic bubbling up inside of him…panic that wasn’t helped by the sudden noise of crashing and movement and he was as up as he could be in an instant, trying and failing to scramble backwards before he actually looked. He fell again before he leveled his eyes onto the small figure who grew no larger as she approached, and he leveled her with the gaze of a spooked, sick horse; wild and feral yellow eyes full of incomprehension and chaos. He flinched violently when she touched him, when he felt the shocking warmth of those small fingers, and he regarded her with clouded eyes that seemed unable to leave her, trying valiantly to place why the situation, the touch-

-it was so familiar…but why? Those little hands and those wide eyes…innocent eyes. He listened to her without responding and his hand was shaking as he reached out to take the flash-light, though he barely dared turn it on. Get better…go with her…

…it was that sweet, gentle, earnest concern that finally did him in, and he couldn’t hold up the levee inside of him- it snapped and fell, and his sharp teeth bared in a wild snarl that fell apart before black tears welled and fell, as well…and he bowed into her touch as if he were mourning it, even as bits of his own shadow seemed to reach for hers, desperate to hold onto something familiar. Something that he knew he had lost, and even if it wasn’t the same it was, and he needed it-

“…I’ve been…alone…forever,” He whispered, and he dropped the flashlight in lieu of reaching to touch the hand on his arm, feeling out small fingers…and he needed HER. He knew it with a shocking clarity- he needed her, couldn’t lose her, couldn’t leave her, couldn’t survive it, not again.

Kozmotis needed her more than he needed anything else in the earth and heavens, and that was a tall order for such a small child…but maybe, just this once, she would guard someone too.

His voice, then, was a delirious whisper that not even he heard…but it was a prayer meant only for her. Her very first assignment.

“…Don’t leave me- d-don’t…leave me…like I left her…”

———————————————————————

Annabella wrinkled her nose in disdain, though it had nothing at all to do with the man and everything to do with everything that was upsetting him! Why couldn’t all those shadows just go away? Didn’t they know they weren’t wanted here? They could go jump off a cliff for all she cared, so long as they left her and her new friend in peace. There was a lot of work to be done and not a lot of time to be doing it in (she absolutely had to get them back home before her Da’ got there, or else he’d be too angry to explain things too. She would lover her Da’ forever and for always, but he was an adult, and sometimes adult forgot the things that were important - she didn’t blame him, though. Losing sight of important things was just what happened when you got old and stuff.

This man’s pain was familiar to her, though, in ways that her Da’ would never understand. Being scared of the shadows, being alone, feeling like you were just another piece of the background - Annabella Polaris knew all of these things far better than any child her age should have, and she didn’t even hesitate before she was reacting to the touch of his hand on hers with an exuberant, tight hug. She practically threw herself into his arms, hoping to hug all of that sadness out of him for at least a little while.

“Being alone sucks.” She said, with feeling, sniffling a little bit because it really, really did. “But you’re not, now, okay? I won’t let you be. I ain’t gonna leave you, and I ain’t gonna let you leave me.” She pulled away long enough to pick her flashlight up again, pushing it sternly back into his hands. “You and me, we’re gonna be bestest friends. And we can hug and cuddle all you want, as soon as we get back home.” She pressed the button to turn the light on for him, then, and as much as she wanted to keep hugging, that really would have to wait until they were back home.

“You need to be brave for just a little while, okay?” She asked, voice kind and soft like she was talking to a younger sibling rather than a man several years her senior - it wasn’t meant condescendingly, but even she knew when to be delicate. “We gotta get to the shore just long enough to leave, or else we might fall through. You can hold my hand the whole time - I’ll protect you.”

———————————————————————

The ‘Shadows’ were not keen at all on ‘going away’ any time soon, but that’s because they weren’t just shadows, anymore, even if neither of the two were aware of remembered them in their full identity, anymore. They weren’t wanted and they KNEW it, and they writhed in hunger at the edge of the light, eager for a taste of the broken man’s fear. They’d broken him the first time, and they remembered the taste- the Fearlings and the Shades savored the taste of his anguish, and that he was new again, and unremembering…it made him all the more of a delicacy for them to savor. The light and the moon and the little girl, though- they were conspiring against him, and they tied themselves in knots in anger. They wanted him- they wanted him again and she had no right to take him away and make him braver than he’d been BEFORE.

They couldn’t touch this one, though, and they knew it, so they slid along the ice of the pond and whipped and hissed, which only drew Kozmotis closer to the girl. He all but clung to her, alone but for that grounding touch, as if he knew it would all be over without her. The hug startled him- he jolted backwards, back to a wall that didn’t exist, and tried to calm his breathing as he grew used to a touch that didn’t bring pain or make him feel sick and cold; warm. Warm and sweet and loving…familiar. Her words weren’t, but her touch…he stared over her at the shadows, blank and lost, and more black welled up in his eyes- a poison spilling from his cheeks and leaving his body for good.

“…I left someone, once,” He murmured very quietly, and the memory was vague, but it was too strong to leave him entirely. He watched her with a fleeting panic, just waiting for her to leave when she pulled away, and when she spoke to him like a child he reacted like her, reaching for that small hand to put it back in his. His hands were like the shadows, he thought fleetingly- overlong fingers and bony joints, black and broken and twisted, but…something about them seemed to gentle, when she touched them, and her care was like a balm that eased away the dark and shrunk the sting of claws. His free hand tightened around the flashlight and pointed it outwards, and he stumbled to his feet, trying to keep her words in his mind when no words would stay. Protect him…

“…do you have a name…?” he finally asked, because he needed to know, because he knew- he knew it wasn’t the word at the tip of his tongue that made his heart ache, and he needed to have another, before he broke to say it again. He strove to remember his own, reaching back further than he could recall…to a time when he’d had a different face, a different mask…a real face and family and friends and a soul…

…it was by luck and wishes alone that he remembered, and when he did, it was only a breath in the cold air; frost and loneliness, loss.

“…Kozmotis. That…it…was my name. Kozmotis…Pitch…Pitchiner. It was my name before.”

———————————————————————

The Fearlings could hunger all they wanted, but without fear they couldn’t do much of anything - and unfortunately for them, their All-You-Can Eat Buffet of Crippling Horror was being closely guarded by the one little girl in all of existence that wasn’t scared of shadows with teeth and claws. In her opinion, she’d seen and survived things far scarier, and now it was her turn to protect someone else. It didn’t matter that she was still just a little girl, to her - this was her chance to grant someone’s wish, just like she always dreamed, and she wouldn’t let anything get in her way, even if she had to beat somebody up to do it! Not the Wisher, of course - she’d never beat up the Wisher. Still, the fact remained that no matter how powerful they thought they were, they were no match for a girl whose every wish had been granted, and even if she didn’t know that was her greatest defense, she knew that whatever the poor man was afraid of couldn’t hurt her.

Annabella was making it her right to take Kozmotis Pitchiner away and make him braver and stronger against the things that hunted him.

She didn’t mind that clinging, or the way he flinched when she clung back, and she understood that sometimes people just reacted in certain ways to things for reasons sometimes even they didn’t know. Some hurts were just too big to bury underneath candy and hugs and band-aids. Now her Wisher was crying, though, and that wouldn’t do - it made his shadows excited, and Annabella wasn’t going to let him give into them, not when he was so scared to do so! She hugged him tighter, and she let him talk, and it was only when his words were fading away and his voice started to go distant like it was chasing something really far away that she spoke again, gripping at his arms tightly.

“My name is Annabella Polaris, Mr. Kozmotis. You can call me Anna or Bella, but not Annie because my name isn’t AnnieBella.” She began to lead him slowly towards the shore, more than ready to be his unflinching guard against the shadows and nightmares, and she thought very seriously about his dilemma before she replied, because it sounded like something that was Important. “Sometimes, people leave cuz they have to, because it’s important and it’ll help the people they care about it. You don’t sound like you wanted to leave who you left, so I bet you did it because it was one of those things. I bet whoever you left knew that, and they knew that you didn’t want to leave them, but sometimes there are bigger things to think about. You shouldn’t be sad, Mr. Kozmotis - I bet whoever they were, they loved you enough to do big, scary things for you too, even if it meant leaving.”

———————————————————————

Anabella…it was different. A different name, and that…Kozmotis couldn’t tell if he was happy or sad for that difference, because it reminded him that there was a name he couldn’t remember. A face that was unclear in his head and words that were fuzzy in his ears…feelings in his heart faded to nothing but pinprick reminders- waking limbs from sleep that never fully woke. He felt like that name should be more familiar- like that face should be easier to see, but all he saw was her…and at the same time that it upset him he also felt strangely comforted. He saw her because she was there, and he was holding her hand…and they weren’t -apart-, which seemed so important. He’d let her go…but they weren’t going to, this time. Together- she had promised, and that seemed like a miracle to a mind that barely remembered what miracles were.

Kozmotis had hurts that had gone on for centuries…and they were too big even for him. Too big for him to comprehend without bowing or remember without snapping in half- a twig under too much weight, made heavy with dead leaves and old rain. They were hurts that had torn what he’d been apart, and left who he was lost and confused…and a part of him wasn’t sure he’d be able to get back what had been stolen from him…but it didn’t linger long. He was too busy keeping his eyes down and his hand tight, gripping as hard as he could without hurting; he had a protective touch, a father’s touch, and even when he was frightened he tugged her closer, because she was more important.

“…I…I didn’t,” he whispered distantly, watching their shadows flicker and shiver along beside them on the ice as the flashlight banished the demons before them. Such a tiny shadow…

“…she…wasn’t much older than you…I don’t…recall her face. Too long ago…but I never wanted to leave.”

———————————————————————

Annabella had very little idea of the sorts of thoughts that plagued Mr. Kozmotis, aside from the one’s about loneliness and fear, but there wasn’t much else she could have done to reassure him than what she already had. Whoever he’d left behind, she believed him when he said he hadn’t wanted to, and she would continue to believe that whoever he’d left behind had never blamed him. There was little other comforts a little girl could offer, besides her words and her presence, no matter who her Da’ was or what she wanted to be when she grew up. Her presence brought with it only tiny miracles, for now, and she could only hope that they would be enough to help this man who so desperately needed his wishes answered - few adults ever wished on a star so fervently, much less the entire sky full of them. She shuffled them closer and closer to the shore, knowing that it would be easier for his fears to take over once they were there, but she stopped before they could touch land, squinting into the shadow-y darkness and then frowning at the ice beneath her feet.

The ice was thick, here, and if it fell through before they could leave, then they’d still be okay - and like this, she wouldn’t have to make him leave the protection he’d found for himself, the reflection of moonlight on the icy pond, and she curiously turned her gaze up at the moon. It was strange - feeling the Man in the Moon had been something she’d been used to ever since she’d been made aware that he was real. She hadn’t put much thought into it, when she’d first arrived, too pre-occupied with helping the man, but she hadn’t felt his presence, then. Even now, the feeling was distant and cool, like he was still watching but only warily and curiously - like he was unsure, about something. It was strange, but she hadn’t the time to linger on it, for now. She’d ask, later. She couldn’t talk to him, but her Da’ could.

“Well…see, then?” She responded, glad to have something to distract him with, even if his side of the conversation was stilted and distracted. “She had to have known that, if even I knew it and she was older than me and knew you for longer. I bet she never, ever doubted you. But you shouldn’t worry about not remembering her. You’re scared, and being scared makes it hard to remember the reasons we have to be brave, my Da’ says. He also says that you can only be brave when you’re scared.” She stopped them, and decided that it was close enough - the star would take them before the ice broke, and the light of it would keep the shadows from chasing them, so she smiled very encouragingly at Mr. Kozmotis and squeezed his hand in her own.

“Right now, you’re being the bravest person I’ve ever met. But I need you to be a little bit braver and close your eyes, okay? It’s going to be very bright in just a second, and I don’t want you to hurt yourself by accident - you seem like you’ve been in the dark for a very long time, and sometimes too much light too fast hurts.”

———————————————————————

Words and presence seemed to be just enough to spur what was left of the once-proud man into action, and even if he faltered or stumbled he knew he couldn’t stop, because this was a chance he wasn’t sure he’d have again. He simply didn’t have the strength to wish that hard, again- to put his faith into something so fragile and unseen. He’s barely had the strength the first time, and he already felt so tired…if she hadn’t come, hadn’t helped, hadn’t held his hand in hers…he didn’t think he would have tried. he didn’t think he would have been able to try. He grew more hesitant the closer they were, and his feet faltered; he locked wide eyes onto the shadows trying to nip at their heels and his breath left him in a shaken huff, like a frightened horse. The whites of his eyes were so bright against black lashes and grey skin, but his hand held Annabella’s more tightly, and he tried to remind himself what he was here for…whom he was here with, and who he couldn’t leave, again. Not her, not again, not this time…so he staid his ground.

If people could only be brave when they were frightened…maybe this was the bravest he’d ever been. Kozmotis kept that in mind, and as his fear ebbed, even just a little bit, the Fearlings ebbed as well, recoiling in horror. Their whispers turned to shrieks and their voices sounded like children, begging for help and touch and love and help and please-come-closer…and the sound made him shudder, made his throat close and his heart pound painfully, but he repeated those words in his head and tried to keep his knees from buckling. Brave…

” I…alright. Don’t let go,” -and that was all he asked, his only request…a plea before he steeled himself and closed his eyes, leaving him in darkness again that was so familiar that it hurt. Nothing but darkness…even if it was different, this time. Over the begging cries he heard soft breathing, and through the chill he felt a small spot of warmth. That…it was all he needed to fight past it, this time.

He wouldn’t fall, again. Wouldn’t fail. Not with her.

———————————————————————

She didn’t hear the shadows the way he did, and she didn’t see them the way he did - they didn’t really affect her, so mostly they just seemed like very ominous, strangely corporeal shadows that moved a little bit like they were alive; even then, though, she wasn’t afraid. Well, she was afraid, but the important part was that she had to be brave enough for Kozmotis, and she really didn’t mind if she had to puff out her chest a little bit and scowl at anything that came close, like some kind of angry, protective little bird. Besides, he had a tight grip on her hand, firm despite being afraid, and she knew that he wouldn’t let anything happen to her, just like she wouldn’t let anything happen to him. She felt his hesitance as they edged closer, and she did the best she could to reassure him, by stepping closer to him and clasping his hand between both of hers.

She felt the weight of her star around her neck, pulsing with energy and waiting to be used, and she smiled at nothing before she tilted her head up to smile at him, seeing that shudder and knowing that whatever had latched on to Kozmotis had known he was starting to be brave and was trying to make him afraid again.

“I would never let go.” She loudly claimed, hoping her words would drown out at least some of whatever the man was seeing or hearing, and she grinned, bright and happy and untouched by the darkness all around them - she didn’t care if his eyes were too closed to see it or now. She wound her arms around his waist, intent upon not letting go of him at all, and she closed her eyes, too, and wished she and her knew friend could go home. She knew without seeing that her star was starting to glow, brighter and brighter until there was little except light and warmth, and the faint feeling of movement. Her Da’ had once told her that it was sort of like how being in an elevator felt like, except instead of up and down it was any direction. Shooting stars were the best way to travel, in her opinion, even when she got over-excited and went too fast, like she had earlier.

This time, she was very careful to keep the ride smooth for her Wisher, and she held onto him until she felt the world still again, and she opened her eyes and smiled giddily to find out she’d made it back home, Wisher intact, and the glow of the lightning bugs all around them.

“You can open your eyes, now.” She said, smiling, and she pulled away to tug at his hand, encouragingly. “There aren’t any shadows here, okay? We’re safe, now.”

———————————————————————

…Never. That word seemed so absolute- so permanent, but he trusted her more than he could remember trusting any person before, and he focused on the feeling of her hand in his as the world rushed by them. There was light and sound and the roar of the wind, and he kept his eyes as tightly closed as he could manage, because he somehow knew that seeing this would be too shocking, in lieu of everything else. Shocking, bright, fast and shadowless- unfamiliar, and he clung to the only familiar thing past all of it, even if it was a girl eons younger than he was. Her arms around him held him to reality and her warmth reminded him that there was something past the cold that he had thought was all-consuming, before her touch and her smile. He remembered that smile when darkness greeted him behind closed eyes, and he tried to stay straight against what felt like movement, holding his center to fight dizziness. Movement like this- he remembered it, but it had been dark and slick and lightning-fast…nothing like this.

When his feet felt the ground, his knees temporarily gave out, and he grabbed hold of her as he fell to keep from falling onto her- he ended up pulling the little star into an impromptu hug that he was unwilling to let go of. Not until the world stopped spinning- not until he knew he was safe. He opened his eyes only when she told him to, and the glimmer of lights and fireflies caught him; he stared at them with open, innocent eyes, like a child that had never seen something glitter so…and he immediately searched for shadows, but none seemed to be near. Safe…

“…they’re beautiful,” he murmured tiredly, and he wasn’t sure if he was talking about the fireflies, her home…the stars that he could see all around them…but he knew that it was different, and that thought comforted him more than anything could have.

Kozmotis didn’t quite smile, but his tired face looked less harrowed, and his grip loosened. He sighed out deeply, trying to remember to breathe again, and something inside of him settled.

“…do…you live here…? It’s so quiet…”

———————————————————————

Annabella waited patiently at his side for him to open his eyes and take in everything around them, and when he finally did her grin only amped up about a thousand watts and she carefully - and slowly - pulled away from him, giving him time to grab her back if he was still feeling scared or unsure. But there weren’t any shadows here, none that could have possibly followed them here - that sudden, accidental hug caught her by surprise, but she allowed it, too, before she moved again. She wanted him to feel safe here. She wanted him to not need a crutch here, because she wanted him to trust that she wouldn’t lie to him. Eons younger or not, she was a young lady wise beyond her years and she knew how good it felt to be protected, but she also knew how much better it was to know that you had that protection, but didn’t need it.

But she gave him time to adjust, too, and she didn’t stray far from him - she was within reaching distance at all times, and she stayed quiet as he took in everything about her Da’s house that was beautiful and bright, because it was a lot. She barely contained her excitement at the compliment, and she bounced in place for a moment, wondering what she should tell him about first.

“I do! Well, I do now. I used to not live here, but then Da’ came and answered my wish and adopted me. That’s what the fireflies are - they carry the wishes to us, from the stars, and that’s how I heard you. Because you were scared and lonely, just like I used to be, and you were wishing that you weren’t, just like I did…technically, Da’s the one that’s supposed to answer wishes, but he was gone on a Big One, and you were a Big One too and I couldn’t just leave you there all alone…so…here we are! This is the Observatory, where Da’ does all his work and stuff at, unless he has to go see to them personally. We live on the floor below, and the floor below that is the kitchen, and then the living room, and there’s a big garden and play area outside…but this is the best place. Oh! Try not to crush any of the Fireflies, okay? They’re important.”

———————————————————————

Adopted her…? Then someone had left her behind. Left her behind just like he’d left her…but the thought was transient, in his shock-wearied mind; he was too tired and it had been too long since he’d closed his eyes and actually rested, so it was hard to focus on things so heart-wrenching. It was easier to watch her flit and bounce and explain things to him, excited and happy and innocent. It was…sweet. It tried to stir up memories that he was too far gone to fight for, and he let them go with a soft sigh as he stumbled to his feet again, trying to mind the little one’s bugs. Wishes…that seemed so important, especially if they were actually being answered. He wondered if he’d ever had any, but…

“…I…don’t remember anything but fear, from before. Just…fear, and darkness. Shadows. I just wanted to escape it- I felt like if I didn’t…I wouldn’t be able to get away, again.”

And that was as much as he remembered, but even that didn’t seem important..he just knew that he had this girl to thank for what felt like something impossible- a freedom he couldn’t even try to understand, yet. He just knew that he was tired, and lost…he needed to rest. He needed to close his eyes and sleep for years, and…maybe things would make more sense, then. Maybe the lines would stop blurring in his head, and he would be able to see things clearly and remember the hows and whys and what, exactly, the overwhelming fear he felt had been.

“…I think…I lived with them. The shadows. For a very long time. I can’t remember…resting…or thinking, or feeling. I just remember fear. Being afraid and tired. This place is so very different…”

———————————————————————

Annabella was excited to show her new friend her and her Da’s house, and to explain to him all the amazing and wonderful things that happened in the Observatory and all the good things her Da’ did for people, and she practically vibrated where she stood from all of her excitement and happiness, but she also knew that sometimes adults were super tired and not up for immediately exploring everything all at once! She’d been really tired when she first came here, too, actually - she’s slept for a whole day before she woke up and ate and discovered everything she could about her new home! Besides, she did know how it felt, to be able to finally escape from fear and shadows and loneliness, and her Da’ was always telling her how important it sometimes was not to rush things.

“Scary things can be really hard to run away from, but…but you can do it. It’s hard and sometimes seems even scarier than staying with them, but you can do it and…and you have! You got away from them, so now all you need to do is remember to keep getting away from them! Not that they’ll be able to find you here. Da makes sure we’re really protected here!” She hoped she wasn’t being annoying by insisting that, but Kozmotis seemed like he needed lots of reassurances about that sort of thing an she was all too happy to give any reassurances she could to her first Wisher! Though, she couldn’t help but wrinkle her nose at that last bit.

“Really? I don’t think they’d be really good roommates. I bet they make messes of all sorts of things and never pick up after themselves. But we’re good here - Da and I always pick up after ourselves and it’s never smelly or dirty here, and…and…we don’t have an extra bed, yet, but you can sleep in Da’s room for now - I’m sure he won’t mind. I’ll let him know when he gets back, and we can eat dinner when you wake up. Okay?”

———————————————————————

~*TBC*~ ((I would make it longer, but this is getting silly. Wait for more!))

If you live to be 100, I hope I live to be 100 minus 1 day, so...

Mon, 24 Dec 2012 14:42:08 -0600

If you live to be 100, I hope I live to be 100 minus 1 day, so I never have to live without you.

At my girlfriend’s house for christmas- there are kittens!...

Sun, 23 Dec 2012 18:39:42 -0600

At my girlfriend’s house for christmas- there are kittens! This’s my first attempt at making a video; I’ve never done it before. D: I hope it’s okay…!

POLL- Guess who got an HD Webcam for Yule?

Fri, 21 Dec 2012 14:44:00 -0600

((Click the grey square on your dashboard- it’ll take you to the poll :3 ))

I REALLY WISH THEY HAD PRE-MADE CHOCOLATE CURLS!!!! Two squares...

Fri, 21 Dec 2012 05:01:00 -0600

I REALLY WISH THEY HAD PRE-MADE CHOCOLATE CURLS!!!!

Two squares chocolate, One old vegetable peeler…TWO VERY SORE HANDS.

Happy Yule, Mom. It’s White Chocolate Cheesecake. <3

I love you enough to CURL CHOCOLATE. That’s a lot of love. I’m doing the dishes, finishing this beer, and going to bed accomplished…with sore hands and lots of Love.

taissafarmigas: transparent gif about my feelings towards...

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 20:01:14 -0600

taissafarmigas:

transparent gif about my feelings towards 2012

….Yup. Just Gonna leave this here.

lithefider: b1gb00tyb1tch3s: silentsymphonia: zid-stereo: wor...

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 20:00:13 -0600

lithefider:

b1gb00tyb1tch3s:

silentsymphonia:

zid-stereo:

wortcat:

【ROTG】Beautiful dream

please don’t wake me up.

WHY WOULD YOU POST SOMETHING LIKE THAT!?

THIS IS NOT OK.

SCREAMS

;3; NNgggg <3

B….buuuh TT___TT I’m gonna post my girl and I’s roleplay with Pitch getting to be a daddy again on here soon, because there are way too many SADPITCHTUMBLFEELS!!!

lithefider: Source: http://www.behance.net/luilula Art by...

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 19:58:55 -0600

lithefider:

Source: http://www.behance.net/luilula Art by (also a plushmaker!) ‘Creature Industry’

Let’s Be Tangle Buddies!!!!

alizabith: wealldraw: a guest comic from our pal Alizabith! I...

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 19:58:25 -0600

alizabith:

wealldraw:

a guest comic from our pal Alizabith!

I did a guest thing for wealldraw!

Existentia- BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK!!!! =UoAoU=

deadling: bbbgg … D: I’m not even going to say how...

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 19:57:20 -0600

deadling:

bbbgg

… D: I’m not even going to say how I relate to this, or to whom or what in my life I relate it to. I just understand, and I want to hug the hell out of you, Rose.

Rise above and you’ll be stronger than that.

navigatethestream: songsforthesiren: Yes, you.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 19:55:22 -0600

navigatethestream:

songsforthesiren:

Yes, you.

astrovinity: ninjaharmony: suckonmyhalehound: Has this not...

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 01:00:27 -0600

astrovinity:

ninjaharmony:

suckonmyhalehound:

Has this not been done yet?

i FuckiGN spaT mY DrInk ouT

oh my god…

yes, yes, yes, one trillion times yes.

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 00:59:41 -0600

yes, yes, yes, one trillion times yes.

consideredjustme: tastysynapse: Zen Pencils Comic: 96. DR....

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 00:35:27 -0600

consideredjustme:

tastysynapse:

Zen Pencils Comic: 96. DR. SEUSS: Those who mind, don’t matter

I literally started sobbing….what.

oh god, me too. All the tears.

outofthecavern: elliestarling: comicsfacts: That or he...

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 23:46:43 -0600

outofthecavern:

elliestarling:

comicsfacts:

That or he watched the anime, or he just spends a lot of time on wikipedia researching random stuff.

Source

holy shit

HHZHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

*Spits out soda, dies* XD

omg omg omg pokevengers. Must Retumbl!

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 23:44:24 -0600

omg omg omg pokevengers. Must Retumbl!

jpangzz: stfutony: The Story of Kyle One day, when I was a...

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 01:09:03 -0600

jpangzz:

stfutony:

The Story of Kyle

One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, “Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd.”

I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on. As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him. He looked up, and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes.

My heart went out to him. So I jogged over to him, and as he crawled around looking for his glasses, I saw a tear in his eye. As I handed him his glasses, I said, “Those guys are jerks. They really should get lives.” He looked at me and said, “Hey thanks!” There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude.

I helped him pick up his books and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before. He said he had gone to private school before now. I would have never hung out with a private school kid before, but we talked all the way home, and I carried his books.

He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I asked him if he wanted to play football on Saturday with me and my friends. He said yes.

We hung out all weekend, and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him. And my friends thought the same of him. Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again. I stopped him and said, “Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!” He just laughed and handed me half the books.

Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends. When we were seniors, we began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown, and I was going to Duke. I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem. He was going to be a doctor, and I was going for business on a football scholarship.

Kyle was valedictorian of our class. I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation. I was so glad it wasn’t me having to get up there and speak.

On graduation day, I saw Kyle. He looked great. He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. He filled out and actually looked good in glasses. He had more dates than me and all the girls loved him! Boy, sometimes I was jealous. Today was one of those days. I could see that he was nervous about his speech, so I smacked him on the back and said, “Hey, big guy, you’ll be great!” He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled. “Thanks,” he said.

As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began. “Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach — but mostly your friends. I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story.” I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the story of the first day we met. He had planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his mom wouldn’t have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home. He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile. “Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable.”

I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment. I saw his mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile. Not until that moment did I realize its depth.

Never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture, you can change a person’s life.

Omfg. This. This is why i do what i do. Bless your soul.

That’s crazy.

jakface: I’ve seen my share of “fake geek girl” shaming, and...

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 00:33:38 -0600

jakface:

I’ve seen my share of “fake geek girl” shaming, and just thought having a Fairy Gamer Momma to come to the rescue would be nice. I know they exist, I’ve met plenty who are amazing and could beat my ass at any version of Mario Kart. Give the Gamer Momma in your life a big hug! :D

OMG IT’S CRYSTAL! HI CRYSTAL! :3~ ((my true tumblfriends will get this))

vidot: tissine: Hello! Even though we’ve only talked through...

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 19:50:35 -0600

vidot:

tissine:

Hello! Even though we’ve only talked through internet, thank you for saying nice things when I’m depressed. Thank you for giving me compliments when I’m in doubt with my skills. Thank you for being ready to listen. Thank you for noticing that there’s something wrong with me when no one else can. Thank you. :)

This is very powerful.

…Thanks, guys. Without a lot of you, I never would have had the strength to lift my head and finally say “…Maybe they’re right. Maybe I’m a good person, and I just need help. I need to find help”.

Your words do more than flash on a screen for a brief moment; their spirit wraps around a person’s heart, and if they’re good words, they give it that hug you wanted to give them. Remember that.

releasings: Number 1 rule of tumblr: you must reblog when ever...

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 16:58:39 -0600

releasings:

Number 1 rule of tumblr: you must reblog when ever our creator comes up on your dash.

Should I Start A Vlog?
	Yes! Why the hell not? It might be fun!
	No! WTF are you thinking?! Eww…
	Wait, What the hell’s a Vlog?
	Cheese! :D

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