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 Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2005 1:20 pm
A New Player
3/4
Levana watched as her father emerged from the room some time later.
"She'll be okay. I think she just needs to get over the initial shock," he started.
Levana panicked. "The initial shock of what? What? What's going on?" She racked her mind, thinking of all the possible things that could be wrong with her. Was it the Death? If it was, she would certainly be dead within hours. But there were so many things she hadn't been able to do yet. Things Levana would never know.
"You are with child," her father stated, staring Levana in the eyes. He did not hesistate before he went on, "Who is the father?"
"What?" Levana shrieked, certain it was a mistake, "I have not lain with anyone. I assure you, I am still pure." It felt a little unnatural to discuss such matters with her father, but she stopped caring. Her mind was set on proving her innocence.
There was no way she could have been pregnant. Unless she had been violated while she slept. Could that be possible? No, it would've been impossible for a thief to sneak into their house without rousing her mother.
The herbalist led her mother into the room. She looked as if she had not slept in days; her eyes were bloodshot and she clung limply to the man's arm. Upon sighting Levana, she sprung to life as if something in her cloudy mind had been stirred from a long sleep. She lept across the room and grabbed her daughter by the neck of her dress.
"You have brought shame to our family. You have lain with another man before the blessing of wedlock and to produce a child, nontheless! You...," she faulted as if words failed her, "You are no daughter of mine."
Whatever emotions Levana was ladened with about her pregnancy disappeared when she heard her mother say those words. Her eyes quickly filled with tears and the rims spilled out over on to her cheeks when she could not taken it anymore.
The doctor stepped in, obviously uncomfortable that this family drama was happening in the midst of his office. "I think that if, Levana is telling the truth, her child might be the miracle the mage predicted. The baby's status is slightly irregular. For example, it appears as though the child is at least three inches long, but Levana's stomach has not changed at all. Maybe Levana is bring something new into the world."
Levana's mother crumpled to the floor in abject horror and surprise.
Levana simply glanced at her midriff.
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Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2005 1:05 pm
A New Player
4/4
Celestyn lay in her crib, sleeping quietly and placidly. She lay sprawled on her back, arms thrown open as if they were about to embrace an invisible stranger. Her plush pink blanket was crumpled into the corner of the bars of her crib and her Earth plushie rested in the crack between the mattress and the railing. For someone as young as Celestyn, she had quite a kick.
Without notice, Celestyn's fists rolled into tight balls and she clamped her eyelids over her rapidly moving eyes. Her face twisted into a grimace of pain before she woke with a start and let her cries fill the house.
Her dream had terrified her. Celestyn's mind was only simple; she could not comprehend such complicated topics as pregnancy. But the simple fact that they had filled her mind showed Celestyn that the dreams were not solely hers.
Of course, being as young as she was, Celestyn didn't understand that. All she knew was a simple feeling of strange foreboding and misunderstanding.
She continued to sob and wail until she stirred Memory. The guardian slowly walked over to Celestyn, sleep clouding her mind. She picked up the young girl with a delicate touch, stroking Celestyn's amethyst hair and rocking her back and forth.
"Shhh, shhh, it's okay. Mommy's here. It's okay. What's wrong? Are you hungry? Did you go potty? Or was it just a bad dream?"
Celestyn began to calm in the arms of her guardian. The memory of her dream left as fast as the dream itself came. When her sobbing subsided altogether, Memory placed her in the crib. As Celestyn rested softly, Memory looked down at her shaking hands that she'd tried to conceal from the Soul.
What was the dream she'd just had? Who was Levana? And above all, why was she dreaming of it? Memory only knew one thing for certain; there was no way her own mind had fabricated it on its own.
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Posted: Tue May 03, 2005 5:04 pm
Disarray
Celestyn watched her mother busy in the bedroom. Memory was frantically folding laundry, smoothing sheets, and dusting in places to high for the child to reach. Her pink hair was in disarray, strands thrown every way. She was still in her sushi pajamas and blue fuzzy slippers. Her glasses were stranded on the end of her nose as Memory had not yet had time to put in her contacts.
The soul sat on the floor, watching her Guardian intently. Her legs were spread in front of her and she slumped forward, having almost perfected the art of sitting up straight. Celestyn's wispy lilac hair was pulled into two braids, which she wore almost constantly now. Celestyn had made it clear it was her favorite hairstyle as she fussed when Memory took them out for bedtime.
Her baby suit was stiff and rough, for Memory had ironed it the night before. Celestyn found this irritating and kicked her legs and flexed her arms in attempts to return the fabric to its soft state. Her necklace dangled wearily from her neck and swung gently back and forth, brushing a stray clump of oatmeal in every rotation. Her blue and green eyes crinkled and her mouth clamped down in frustration. Celestyn did not like this feeling.
Finally fed up, Celestyn began to wail. She sobbed and tears ran down her face, which was unusual for her. Most of the time, her wails were dry. She reached her two pale hands up and jerked down hard on her pigtails, ruffling them slightly. Celestyn moved two of her fingers into her mouth and bit down hard with her new, sharp teeth. However, Celestyn had never tested the strength of this bite, so blood start free-streaming from one of her digits. It ran out of her mouth like drool, tracing a stream down her small forearm.
The shock of this frightened her further. Her wails turned into sounds not unlike screams and her hand fell out of her mouth, bleeding profusely on the floor. She pounded her uninjured hand on the carpet, demanding attention.
Memory spun quickly, trying to reach her child. Unfortunately the over-dramatic touch had the opposite effect; the Guardian tripped over her own feet in an attempt to reach Celestyn. It was a sit-com worthy fall, completed by a soft thump on the carpet.
Upon seeing this, Celestyn's cries immediatly subsided and a grin spread across her face, revealing a set of new teeth. Her face scrunched into an expression of laughter and a soft giggle seemed to echo in the room.
Memory felt her spirit soar.
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Posted: Sun May 08, 2005 5:37 am
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Posted: Sat May 28, 2005 10:08 am
Denouement
1/3
Celestyn was especially fussy that night. She refused to eat her dinner; but Memory couldn't blame her for that, who'd want that mush?, kicked and screamed when Memory tried to bath the child, whimpered as her guardian put Celestyn in her PJs, and made failed attempt after failed attempt to get out of her crib once she was put to bed.
Memory reflected as she crawled underneath the sprawling covers of her bed. This caliber of behavior from Celestyn was unusual; given, she was not the calmest child but she was rarely... distressed. Was that the right word? It seemed to Memory like Celestyn was trying to protect her from something, try to keep her from falling asleep. Like Celestyn knew something Memory didn't. Or maybe, she just wanted more attention.
Whatever the reason, these thoughts did not haunted Memory for long as she slipped into a fretful sleep.
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Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 12:30 pm
Denouement
2/3
Memory's mind immerged itself into a field of dreams.
A figure, shrouded in darkness, floated towards her. It took a few seconds for Memory to make out Natalie's face, and a little longer to notice that Natalie carried Celestyn in her arms. Memory's first impulse was to rush to her soul, but she held back, kept hesitant because of her fiery curiosity.
Natalie wore a long, flowing white robe. Her hair, typically curly and red, was blonde and straight, fixed into a ponytail at the nape of her neck. It came as a shock to Memory when she realized that color and style looked much more natural on her than the crimson locks; she'd never realized that Natalie didn't quite have the right tone of skin for that hair color. Natalie also had a much different air about her. Instead of earthly and human, it seemed regal and poised, like she had just shed a skin that didn't quite fit.
"You're not....," Memory began.
"What I seemed to be?" Natalie finished, "Who is these days?
In her arms Celestyn shifted, whimpering softly in boredom. Natalie looked down and nuzzled the child, speaking a couple words of comforting nonsense to Celestyn before peering back up at Memory.
And this time, she spoke in rhyme:
"A woman of no certain age lies upon a bed;
with rampant thoughts of motherhood chaotic in her head.
It's a story that's been told before but I shall tell it newly,
the details of a joyous weave are altered here unduly."
Memory felt like she was being pulled by her navel into a new scene that unraveled in front her. Natalie made no effort to turn around, it was obvious she was certain in what she was doing. The panorama seemed to imitation the poem; a young woman lay restless on a bed. It was only when she turned towards Memory that the guardian was able to make out who it was: Levana.
"The soul that rests upon her mind is youthful and undaunted.
Yet within this fiery heart lies a fetus; cold, unwanted.
Our heroine is solely destined for a virgin birth,
to carry on her shoulders promise of upcoming mirth.
"The pregnancy moves forward as Quoisis speaks in heed;
'This child shall bring forth ruination but to valiant need.'"
They were pulled forward through flashes of the pregnancy. Levana was speaking to her parents, the doctor, the mage. Her worried face, the pain on it evident and vibrant. As time in the montage rushed onwards, the expectant mother's stomach stretched with her child's growth.
"The labor pains come quickly and a baby is soon born,
but events are set in motion that would cause their world to mourn.
"The fabric of reality starts shifting out of place.
Verdant landscapes once maturing fade into empty space.
People in that world exclaim as death consumes their eyes.
And not too far away, a startled infant cries."
Unfolding before her, Memory witnessed a horrible scene. Men, women, and children keeled over in the street, their hands clawing at the air, as if in a desperate attempt to hold onto life.
"Within seconds of the birth that promised great disaster,
the world is gone, whisked away at the hands of its young master.
But two within the mortal plane ascend as screams are smothered.
Pulled into a higher place, a child and her mother."
And the planet that Levana lived on disappeared into a mist after a spectacular explosion. The quiet that followed it was unnerving to Memory, as if not even the universe made a move to note the passing of an entire civilization. Suddenly everything blurred, and Memory was watching empty space from a bird's eye view. Her line of view panned to Levana and her child together for the first time as they watched in reverence at the space that used to hold their home.
But oh god, the child.
And Memory suddenly began to understand the meaning behind her dreams. The weight of it caused her to sink to her knees, clutching her stomach in shock. Natalie regarded her with a smug expression, and shifted Celestyn in her arms. To Memory's surprise, Celestyn had remained placid during the entire journey.
Natalie opened her mouth to speak again.
"They watch in total silence as all they know implodes.
And makes way as something new alleviates its load.
Suddenly a spark appears that turns into a fire,
the inferno of creation brings new meaning to desire.
"When the darkness set ablaze begins to fade to night,
a softened sphere approaches and bleeds into their sight.
Calming fields of green roll into restless water.
And a woman places life upon a new world and her daughter."
Memory took in the sight before her. This was a glimpse of the very first seconds of her Earth's life. The sighted calmed her momentarily.
Natalie set Celestyn on the floor and the baby crawled over to her guardian. Memory scooped her up and held her close to her bosom, cradling her in her arms. Celestyn gurgled happily and peered at Memory with big, dual-colored eyes, reminding Memory of the innocence that held Celestyn safe in a cocoon of happiness. Memory smiled consolingly at Celestyn.
But Memory was only allowed a few moments of peace before she glimpsed Levana and the infant again.
The child, the child, the child. How could this be?
Memory clutched Celestyn closer to her chest, bracing herself to ask the question buzzing persistently in her mind.
"How....," she began, but Natalie cut her off. Memory's tour was not finished yet.
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Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 5:38 pm
Denouement
3/3
"The poem's origins are rooted in anonymosity," Natalie explained, "But it is generally understood that it was written here; in the upper dimension, and before the events it speaks of took place."
Memory did not respond. Her gaze was fixed upon the child that Levana held in her arms. The pale, white skin, the soft lavender hair, the small, glass earth on a gold chain around her petite neck, and the eyes. Those wide eyes. One green, the other blue. It was Celestyn. Levana had with her a tiny, newborn Celestyn. Memory looked down at her own Celestyn as if to check that her Soul was still with her
There was no doubt about it. Memory was in the presence of two versions of her own baby.
"Levana gave birth to a child and the earth at the same time. Many believe that because her birth was a virgin one, the magic that set the pregnancy in motion carried with it the side effect of destroying Levana's world and creating its own. Others think it is entirely the other way around; Levana's child had to be born in order for the new planet to be created.
"Either way, Levana gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. Identical to, or, more specifically, exactly the same child you have in your care now. Levana named her Earth and the others in her new dimension found it fitting to name the new planet Earth as well. Personally, I like Celestyn better," Natalie winked at her.
"But why do I have her? Wh-why is she not immortal, still living with her mother?"
"Because even the greatest of the gods cannot fight the rudimentary failure of the human body - illness. She became sick before she reached two years of age and no one could find a remedy for her.
"She died, without ever knowing her importance to the world she was named after. But Levana had fallen in love with her daughter; she was devastated. And grief is a powerful weapon, it often makes people do foolish things. Levana captured Earth's essence - her daughter, not the planet - in a prism as she died, unwilling to let her leave her. Although Levana's child was reduced to only a shimmering green and blue planet - the one you call home - in a glass container, Levana was happy to keep her like that. She regularly pleaded with the Council to have them restore her, but they told her they could do nothing.
"Until, one day, they approached Levana and informed her that she had one chance - only one chance, to bring her daughter back. I do not know what was important about that specific time, but they informed her that Earth may be able to live again on the planet that held her namesake, and Levana must chose the guardian of her child. Levana, of course, did not like this, she was hoping to have Earth back with her. But she relented and chose you for her child. I do not know why.
"And so she came to be with you."
"But how do you know this?" Memory said, sinking to the ground, tears welling in her eyes.
"Because, my darling, I was there. I was assigned to Levana's well-being, in other words, as her servant. I was sent to Earth for a brief tenure to greet Celestyn and to stop the disease she had so many years ago before it happened. And, of course, to inform you of Earth's history.
"And that is Earth -- well, Celestyn's story. Now it remains in your hands. When will you tell her? Will you even tell her at all? Though, I would advise against that route, Celestyn would probably find out anyway."
And with that, Natalie vanish and Memory felt herself back on her own couch, cradling Celestyn in her arms. She looked down at the Soul, who was happily gurgling and pointing around the room. She shivered, rocking back and forth until tears filled her eyes, with a great shake, Memory buried her head in Celestyn's baby suit and sobbed out of fear, out of surprise, but most of all, out of a cold, hard feeling of shock.
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Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2005 4:56 pm
"Ca'e"
Celestyn sat alert in her high chair, which was pushed up against a table. Her round eyes darted from Memory, who was standing beside her, to the big, fat cake on the table. It was a three-layered, obnoxiously pink creation that leaned haphazardly to the right and had thick, dark pink words written in icing piled on top. It looked as if the artist had tried their best to make it look professional, but their lack of talent had caused it to look exactly the opposite.
"Look what Mommy made you. Happy birthday, sweetie," Memory cooed. Celestyn looked to her Guardian and squealed excitably, pointing at the cake and kicking her legs against both the table and her chair. She reached out to the confection, but her arms were too short to touch it. Frustrated, she leaned back in her chair and tugged on one of her braids, pouting in silence.
Memory tilted her head to the side to admire her Soul. She was so beautiful, and she was growing up so quickly. Celestyn's new clothes (a beautiful cotton dress and a sheer top) fitted her perfectly. A tear glissened in Memory's eye briefly, but quickly faded away as she swooped down to bring the cake closer to Celestyn. Delighted, Celestyn plunged both of her hands into the confection and lifted them to reveal them caked in batter-like beige gel. She wrinkled her nose.
"Oh," Memory said in surprise, "That wasn't what I was expecting."
The cake was ruined. Half-cooked batter began seeping onto the table. Meanwhile, Celestyn threw aside her disgust and made a move to lick the fluid on her hands.
"Nononono," Memory said, "Celestyn can't have cake. Yucky cake. Cake bad for Celestyn."
Memory lifted Celestyn up by her armpits and carried her over to the aluminum sink. She dropped Celestyn in it and began to run the water while removing her Soul's clothes.
Celestyn looked up at Memory. This was bad. She wanted cake. Her mind began racing for the right way to express this to Memory, but she only came up with one solution. It was new, but it seemed to fit perfectly.
"Wan' ca'e!" she exclaimed. "Wan' ca'e."
Memory gaped. "Did you just say a word? Two words? Did my baby just say two words?"
Celestyn didn't understand Memory's reaction. What was shocking about it?
"Wan't ca'e!"
"Celestyn, those are your first words!" Memory shrieked. "You can have cake. Mommy will buy you another cake."
Celestyn smiled contently, understanding the gist of what had been said. She didn't quite understand it, but words were good. Words got her what she wanted.
"Ca'e," she said.
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Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2005 2:18 pm
A New Word
Ever since Celestyn had discovered the wonder that was words, Memory was having a hard time keeping her quiet. When she wasn't babbling on about nothing in particular with her very limited vocabulary, Celestyn was demanding cake from Memory. On this particular afternoon, Celestyn sat, staring at her necklace in her hands and running the chain through her fingertips, as she had just discovered how to remove the jewelry from around her neck.
She cradled the charm in her hand like a baby as she told it a story. Memory watched with admiration from afar.
"Mommy, wan' ca'e, Cellery" -- that was what she'd taken to calling herself -- "wa'ch squoosh you neshlace, boom."
Memory giggled girlishly, amusing herself with the fragmented story. Celestyn pushed herself around, curious to see who had been watching her.
Just Mommy.
She continued the story.
"Leafies fall, squoosh, neshlace, dammi."
The last word was said so quickly that Memory almost didn't catch it.
"Celestyn! What did you say?" she gasped, stunned.
Celestyn had gradually started understand other's words. "Dammi, dammi, dammi, dammi," she echoed gleefully, seeing that it was those mere words that had upset Memory.
Memory gaped. "Where did you hear that word?"
"Mommy," Celestyn said without hesitation. "Mommy dammi."
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Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2005 2:52 pm
To Rise Again
Celestyn gave her utmost attention to the corner of the coffee table. With her eyes slitted in fierce concentration, she thrusted her arms out in a futile effort to gain some kind of bearing on the slippery wood. She emitted several short squeaks before lowering herself back to the floor in disapointment. Celestyn had been trying for several weeks now to gain a grasp on the table - her legs were itching to stand upright, and they needed that support to do so.
She stuck out her tiny tongue in between a set of gleaming teeth. Her brow furrowed in concentration.
She was going to do this now, no matter what. She'd spent too many hours failing at this seemingly impossible task and she was going to succeed now.
For a toddler, Celestyn was already very headstrong.
She glanced briefly over at Memory, who was sitting on the couch. Celestyn's guardian was barefoot and her painted toes were curled under. One of Memory's fingers was in her mouth, and her eyes were transfixed on the page of the book in front of her. It was unlikely that Memory was going to be looking up anytime soon; Celestyn was fine with that, she much prefered not to have an audience while she worked.
Celestyn's eyes flickered in concentration and she planted her feet firmly against the floor. Grasping the wooden edge of the table, she grunted lightly and funneled all the energy she had in her tiny body into standing upright for just.... one.... second....
And then she was. Hands clutched to the table and legs shaking beneath her, Celestyn rose for the first time. Overjoyed at this new development, she squealed, drawing Memory's attention to her.
"Celestyn! You're standing! I have to get a camera, or something. You just... hold it right there."
But, by that time, Celestyn had already fallen back to the ground.
The Soul just giggled, proud of herself.
There would certainly be more time to improve.
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