A Goodnight on Mabon...
Posted: 22 Sep 2012, 12:54
The rituals had been finished and the Sisters had welcomed the Equinox properly. Mabon was here, the second of the three harvest festivals. A time of rejoicing and giving thanks to the Lord and Lady and to ask their blessings as the world prepared to turn into darkness and the cold once again. Zodiac had lingered on as the last of them dressed and headed back to town. She would clean up the glade of course as was her habit, but she had something more personal to attend to first.
The slight chill in the wind announcing Mabon was upon them pulled at her violet cloak as she picked up one of her packs and moved deeper into the woods away from their clearing. Hopefully she had timed this right. With so few of the Fae about, one could never be sure if they were near or elsewhere, but their rites should have attracted the Fae's attentions, so she would have to be careful now.
She found a spot she felt comfortable with and began to prepare. The small shovel began to dig into the still soft earth as she excavated a hole into the ground.
"I now do call upon the eternal Goddess in the ancient way, as Earth Mother and Lady Crone who reigns as light declines. Come join me! Bring me your love and protection as I celebrate the Equinox. Send Thy spirit forth so that I, your child, may feel your life within me -As it is willed, so mote it be." her mental voice whispered as she prepared.
She pulled two apples from her bag and poured a measure of wine into a chalice. Then she lifted a small box from the bag and opened it. Inside the carved case was 2 pieces of cut silk. Part of it still smooth and supple while the rest was thick and matted with dried blood. Fingers rubbed gently over the cloth for a moment as she contemplated.
*flash-14 years ago*
"Angela!"
She looked up from attempts to get the wax paper toy boat to do anything but tumble about helplessly in the water and saw him looking at her. Randy ran to where she sat and told her to pick a hand. She did and was rewarded with an apple as he plopped down beside her and bit into the peach he had in his other hand. "Watchadoin?"
She explained with her hands what she was trying to do. The boy nodded and took off again, only to return with a small bag in hand. The makeshift sail of a straw and paper stuck to the deck with a bit of chewed gum, while a small rudder was made from a toothpick and a bit of cardboard pressed thru the hull with the hole plugged with more gum. With a larger straw he blew at the sail as he sat it back into the water and now the tiny boat glided in a smooth circle rather than twirling in place. Angela applauded and grinned as they took turns keeping the boat moving around while they ate.
***
She sat the box on the ground in front of her and picked up the apples and held them close to her breast.
"Tonight I mourn the loss of life and light, But just as the apple which I hold in my hand gives both life and death, So do our beloved deities -Those who have passed shall return as surely as shall the light."
*Flash- 7 years ago*
The others shouted, and Angela leaned back her head and opened her mouth as if she did so as well as the seven of them spun and danced for the crowd. Luck was with them as they found the spot they chose to pitch camp in was having a fair as well. A couple of the elders had bartered with the owners, so for once they were able to perform in style instead of around a campfire for the few curious who would discover them.
In their finest dresses, they entertained the gathering crowd with their dancing. Earlier she had worked with her Nanna telling fortunes for the bold and curious, but now was her time to be.
They finished with a flourish and the crowd applauded. Dollars and coins began to fall as the people showed their appreciation. A couple of the men from the tribe began to collect the money for them as she turned and found herself looking at Randy. He was staring at her in a most peculiar way at that moment.
What's wrong? She signed to him.
"You're beautiful." He finally answered. Angela blushed in confusion. She never thought about herself like that. Nanna had always told her she was pretty but this was different somehow. She could not figure it out. Was it the word, or was it who was saying the word that made her feel butterflies inside of her just then.
Thank you. She finally gestured as she stepped closer-oblivious to the fact the crowd was still watching them now. Nothing else existed but those eyes looking into hers.
***
She laid one of the apples aside and sat the second by the hole she had dug. Next she lifted the chalice to her lips.
"Just as we have sorrow, We also have joy - For this is the time of the harvest!"
*Flash 6 years ago*
The two by four swing in the air and cracked one of the men square on the shoulder.
"What the hell?" the man who had been hit turned to see Randy standing ready to hit him again.
"I said let her go!" He demanded of the three that held Angela trapped between them like a rag doll.
"Well, what do we have here?" another laughed. "A poor trash Prince Charming coming for Silent Cinderella here. Tell me boy, is she that good to risk your life over her?"
***
She sipped. Instantly her insides began to revolt as the wine slipped down to her belly. She sat the cup near the hole as well and fought the urge to wretch as she pulled a ring from her finger. Purple yarn wrapped around it to keep it from falling from her finger balanced the glow of the silver under the moon's light.
*flash-1 year ago*
"Here," he began to work the ring her Nanna had given him free of his finger and handed it to her. "A fair trade. Keep that for me. One way or the other, I'll be back and reclaim it." With reluctance she accepted it and slipped it on her own finger so she would not loose it. "Doesn't mean we are engaged or anything like that," he offered.
"Says you," she signed with a smile. Randy nodded and put the truck in reverse. She watched as he backed out onto the still street. She saw him tap his chest and point at her and she did the same in reply. Zodiac stood in the shadows of the alley till the sound of the truck faded into the night.
***
"I am a child of deity, I am part of the creative life force which moves the Universe;
I am part of all that is -Though we are apart, we are ever together, For we are one in the spirit of the Goddess and God, Whatever force may hold the spirit of Randal Addams in bondage I beg you to set him free so he may pass to the light he has earned and deserves.
Merry meet, merry part and merry meet again -Blessed be!"
*flash- 1 year ago*
"Angela? Did I ever tell you I love you?"
She approached the driver's side and leaned in the window. "You remember that day when your mother made those oatmeal cookies and you ran out of the camper with fistfuls of them wanting to give me some and you tripped and ended up in a heap in front of me with hands full of crushed cookies and you just looked up at me?"
"Good god, woman," he laughed. "We were what? Five? Six years old?"
"Yes we were," she smiled. "And when you looked at me, your eyes said you loved me, and you have been saying it ever since."
"Well, I still do." His hand reached out and pulled her closer. She did not resist his touch and went willingly to his lips. For the first time in years, the memories of how men had touched her in the past vanished. Randy was soft, gentle, leading her slowly as the kiss became more involved and personal. She basked in the moment till a familiar taste filled her mouth a second before Randy recoiled in pain.
"OH NO!" Her mind screamed when she saw the blood oozing from his lips. Frantically she dug through the pockets of her skirt and pulled a handkerchief out for him to use. She kept tapping his shoulder in double taps-her childhood way of her telling him she was sorry.
***
She took the ring and set it into the box on top of the ruined silk and closed the box. One of the apples joined it and a measure of the wine was poured into the hole. As she began to fill the hole back in, she screamed mentally as something hit her left arm hard. Zodiac looked and saw the blood pouring from the cut. "Damn you all. Could you not let me finish this?" she wept now. She held her hand over the hole and let some of her blood join the collection within before she rapidly packed the hole with dirt. "Damn it, damn it, DAMN IT!" she screeched in silence. She now felt like she was burying garbage instead of all she had left of her childhood friend. Her control was lost in the rush and she coughed up the wine as well. In a heartbeat, this was all going wrong.
*flash- less than a year ago*
So you came to visit us with your little group of friends that night. What were you thinking, child? That we would not notice what you were trying to do? Did you seek to cash on on the old ways with us? Set yourself up as some Lady with your supplicant tribe in place ready to serve your whims and protect you as you sleep away the day? HA!
The days we were servants when we were known as the Ferenk are long gone, little vampire slut! The elders among us remember the tales handed down to us over time and you were not the only one to study at Nanna's feet, child. I too heard those stories of the days of blood and fire. How we finally freed ourselves of those shackles. The long fight? The stake, the sword, and the fire. We knew what needed to be done to the thralls that made there way here after you and your friends had their ways with them. It tore at our hearts to do it, but as we had been told there is no escape once one had been claimed in such a way.
So think long and hard about the damnation you brought down on Randy's head. Oh, you got him good and hid your mark well on him. You knew he would come willingly between your legs. He had always loved you, girl. He denied you till the end he did. Only proof how well you seduced him. No thralls remain among us now and we will dispose of any we do find over time again! Aront thee! ARONT THEE!
***
She could hear the sounds now as things moved in the woods around her. She did not take the time to try and heal her wound, but pulled the cairn she had made from the bag and set it in place over the tiny grave. A quickly thought final prayer and she grabbed her bag, the shovel, the apple and chalice and began to run. She didn't stop until she was back insider the ring that surrounded the clearing and then fell to the ground after she was hit again. On the other side of the iron bars sat into the ground she could hear them still-now more enraged than ever. She mentally cursed them all in Romany, making gestures to match her thoughts, and then took stock of her arm and back. A bit of mystic healing took care of the flesh, but she had lost a lot of blood. She would have to feed again on the way home.
She slipped out of the remains of her robe and began to dress herself. She paused long enough to properly place the apple among the others they has set as gifts back to the Earth in thanks and poured the remains of the wine over it. Zodiac gathered her items and decided the circle could wait till for now. They were too agitated at the moment. Best to come back later when they may have moved on elsewhere. "It was the best I could do," she apologized in the direction of the small hidden grave. After the winter it would simply be another rock hiding in the grass that only she would know what was there. "Good bye, Randy," her tears still slipping from her eyes.
Zodiac gathered the last of her items and made her way along the marked foot path back to the road where her van was waiting. The noises following her to the edge of the paved road and then stopping to look back into the darkness.
" Noapte bună, dragostea mea. Scumpa mea inima Goodnight, my love."She pulled herself behind the wheel and began the trip back to home.
(( "Good night, my love. My dearest heart."))
The slight chill in the wind announcing Mabon was upon them pulled at her violet cloak as she picked up one of her packs and moved deeper into the woods away from their clearing. Hopefully she had timed this right. With so few of the Fae about, one could never be sure if they were near or elsewhere, but their rites should have attracted the Fae's attentions, so she would have to be careful now.
She found a spot she felt comfortable with and began to prepare. The small shovel began to dig into the still soft earth as she excavated a hole into the ground.
"I now do call upon the eternal Goddess in the ancient way, as Earth Mother and Lady Crone who reigns as light declines. Come join me! Bring me your love and protection as I celebrate the Equinox. Send Thy spirit forth so that I, your child, may feel your life within me -As it is willed, so mote it be." her mental voice whispered as she prepared.
She pulled two apples from her bag and poured a measure of wine into a chalice. Then she lifted a small box from the bag and opened it. Inside the carved case was 2 pieces of cut silk. Part of it still smooth and supple while the rest was thick and matted with dried blood. Fingers rubbed gently over the cloth for a moment as she contemplated.
*flash-14 years ago*
"Angela!"
She looked up from attempts to get the wax paper toy boat to do anything but tumble about helplessly in the water and saw him looking at her. Randy ran to where she sat and told her to pick a hand. She did and was rewarded with an apple as he plopped down beside her and bit into the peach he had in his other hand. "Watchadoin?"
She explained with her hands what she was trying to do. The boy nodded and took off again, only to return with a small bag in hand. The makeshift sail of a straw and paper stuck to the deck with a bit of chewed gum, while a small rudder was made from a toothpick and a bit of cardboard pressed thru the hull with the hole plugged with more gum. With a larger straw he blew at the sail as he sat it back into the water and now the tiny boat glided in a smooth circle rather than twirling in place. Angela applauded and grinned as they took turns keeping the boat moving around while they ate.
***
She sat the box on the ground in front of her and picked up the apples and held them close to her breast.
"Tonight I mourn the loss of life and light, But just as the apple which I hold in my hand gives both life and death, So do our beloved deities -Those who have passed shall return as surely as shall the light."
*Flash- 7 years ago*
The others shouted, and Angela leaned back her head and opened her mouth as if she did so as well as the seven of them spun and danced for the crowd. Luck was with them as they found the spot they chose to pitch camp in was having a fair as well. A couple of the elders had bartered with the owners, so for once they were able to perform in style instead of around a campfire for the few curious who would discover them.
In their finest dresses, they entertained the gathering crowd with their dancing. Earlier she had worked with her Nanna telling fortunes for the bold and curious, but now was her time to be.
They finished with a flourish and the crowd applauded. Dollars and coins began to fall as the people showed their appreciation. A couple of the men from the tribe began to collect the money for them as she turned and found herself looking at Randy. He was staring at her in a most peculiar way at that moment.
What's wrong? She signed to him.
"You're beautiful." He finally answered. Angela blushed in confusion. She never thought about herself like that. Nanna had always told her she was pretty but this was different somehow. She could not figure it out. Was it the word, or was it who was saying the word that made her feel butterflies inside of her just then.
Thank you. She finally gestured as she stepped closer-oblivious to the fact the crowd was still watching them now. Nothing else existed but those eyes looking into hers.
***
She laid one of the apples aside and sat the second by the hole she had dug. Next she lifted the chalice to her lips.
"Just as we have sorrow, We also have joy - For this is the time of the harvest!"
*Flash 6 years ago*
The two by four swing in the air and cracked one of the men square on the shoulder.
"What the hell?" the man who had been hit turned to see Randy standing ready to hit him again.
"I said let her go!" He demanded of the three that held Angela trapped between them like a rag doll.
"Well, what do we have here?" another laughed. "A poor trash Prince Charming coming for Silent Cinderella here. Tell me boy, is she that good to risk your life over her?"
***
She sipped. Instantly her insides began to revolt as the wine slipped down to her belly. She sat the cup near the hole as well and fought the urge to wretch as she pulled a ring from her finger. Purple yarn wrapped around it to keep it from falling from her finger balanced the glow of the silver under the moon's light.
*flash-1 year ago*
"Here," he began to work the ring her Nanna had given him free of his finger and handed it to her. "A fair trade. Keep that for me. One way or the other, I'll be back and reclaim it." With reluctance she accepted it and slipped it on her own finger so she would not loose it. "Doesn't mean we are engaged or anything like that," he offered.
"Says you," she signed with a smile. Randy nodded and put the truck in reverse. She watched as he backed out onto the still street. She saw him tap his chest and point at her and she did the same in reply. Zodiac stood in the shadows of the alley till the sound of the truck faded into the night.
***
"I am a child of deity, I am part of the creative life force which moves the Universe;
I am part of all that is -Though we are apart, we are ever together, For we are one in the spirit of the Goddess and God, Whatever force may hold the spirit of Randal Addams in bondage I beg you to set him free so he may pass to the light he has earned and deserves.
Merry meet, merry part and merry meet again -Blessed be!"
*flash- 1 year ago*
"Angela? Did I ever tell you I love you?"
She approached the driver's side and leaned in the window. "You remember that day when your mother made those oatmeal cookies and you ran out of the camper with fistfuls of them wanting to give me some and you tripped and ended up in a heap in front of me with hands full of crushed cookies and you just looked up at me?"
"Good god, woman," he laughed. "We were what? Five? Six years old?"
"Yes we were," she smiled. "And when you looked at me, your eyes said you loved me, and you have been saying it ever since."
"Well, I still do." His hand reached out and pulled her closer. She did not resist his touch and went willingly to his lips. For the first time in years, the memories of how men had touched her in the past vanished. Randy was soft, gentle, leading her slowly as the kiss became more involved and personal. She basked in the moment till a familiar taste filled her mouth a second before Randy recoiled in pain.
"OH NO!" Her mind screamed when she saw the blood oozing from his lips. Frantically she dug through the pockets of her skirt and pulled a handkerchief out for him to use. She kept tapping his shoulder in double taps-her childhood way of her telling him she was sorry.
***
She took the ring and set it into the box on top of the ruined silk and closed the box. One of the apples joined it and a measure of the wine was poured into the hole. As she began to fill the hole back in, she screamed mentally as something hit her left arm hard. Zodiac looked and saw the blood pouring from the cut. "Damn you all. Could you not let me finish this?" she wept now. She held her hand over the hole and let some of her blood join the collection within before she rapidly packed the hole with dirt. "Damn it, damn it, DAMN IT!" she screeched in silence. She now felt like she was burying garbage instead of all she had left of her childhood friend. Her control was lost in the rush and she coughed up the wine as well. In a heartbeat, this was all going wrong.
*flash- less than a year ago*
So you came to visit us with your little group of friends that night. What were you thinking, child? That we would not notice what you were trying to do? Did you seek to cash on on the old ways with us? Set yourself up as some Lady with your supplicant tribe in place ready to serve your whims and protect you as you sleep away the day? HA!
The days we were servants when we were known as the Ferenk are long gone, little vampire slut! The elders among us remember the tales handed down to us over time and you were not the only one to study at Nanna's feet, child. I too heard those stories of the days of blood and fire. How we finally freed ourselves of those shackles. The long fight? The stake, the sword, and the fire. We knew what needed to be done to the thralls that made there way here after you and your friends had their ways with them. It tore at our hearts to do it, but as we had been told there is no escape once one had been claimed in such a way.
So think long and hard about the damnation you brought down on Randy's head. Oh, you got him good and hid your mark well on him. You knew he would come willingly between your legs. He had always loved you, girl. He denied you till the end he did. Only proof how well you seduced him. No thralls remain among us now and we will dispose of any we do find over time again! Aront thee! ARONT THEE!
***
She could hear the sounds now as things moved in the woods around her. She did not take the time to try and heal her wound, but pulled the cairn she had made from the bag and set it in place over the tiny grave. A quickly thought final prayer and she grabbed her bag, the shovel, the apple and chalice and began to run. She didn't stop until she was back insider the ring that surrounded the clearing and then fell to the ground after she was hit again. On the other side of the iron bars sat into the ground she could hear them still-now more enraged than ever. She mentally cursed them all in Romany, making gestures to match her thoughts, and then took stock of her arm and back. A bit of mystic healing took care of the flesh, but she had lost a lot of blood. She would have to feed again on the way home.
She slipped out of the remains of her robe and began to dress herself. She paused long enough to properly place the apple among the others they has set as gifts back to the Earth in thanks and poured the remains of the wine over it. Zodiac gathered her items and decided the circle could wait till for now. They were too agitated at the moment. Best to come back later when they may have moved on elsewhere. "It was the best I could do," she apologized in the direction of the small hidden grave. After the winter it would simply be another rock hiding in the grass that only she would know what was there. "Good bye, Randy," her tears still slipping from her eyes.
Zodiac gathered the last of her items and made her way along the marked foot path back to the road where her van was waiting. The noises following her to the edge of the paved road and then stopping to look back into the darkness.
" Noapte bună, dragostea mea. Scumpa mea inima Goodnight, my love."She pulled herself behind the wheel and began the trip back to home.
(( "Good night, my love. My dearest heart."))