|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 6:39 am
All those answering the RP prompt for the Forest Mists Event need to be posted here. Prompt Refresher Ghostlings and the living occupy the same world but often do not interact; the living most times are not even able to see Ghostlings and Ghostlings stay well away from the more populated areas in the world as they tend to sap their power. There is one small village at the base of the forest mountains where the living have become aware of a Ghostlings or as they call it a Forest Spirit and from this knowledge tales have arose. The young of this small village gather around a campfire as dusk begins to fall, and they await the arrival of their storyteller. From a hut at the head of the village an elder hobbles toward them leaning heavily on a walking stick, settling down on a log set near the fire the Elder starts to tell the tale of the Inari spirit from the forest. Write the tale that the Elder tells the children, of the Inari spirit and it's legend to the villagers. The winner will be announced by the 25th if not sooner.
-=List of Entrants=-
1. Sadi Sidhe
2. Mediciner
3. Zvonimir Stojkovic
4. Alanna the Pirate Queen
5. White Oblivion
... sweatdrop = entry fee not sent yet.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 5:32 pm
As dusk fell on the mountain village, children began to gather around a small fire. It was not a need for warmth that drew them, though the night was chill, but rather a promise of magic and wonder. The elder had promised to tell them the legend of their village's guardian spirit. At last they settle, fidgeting only a little as they wait for the elder.
At last the elder joins them by the fire, sitting slowly, her joints aching. She is weak and frail in her old age, but her eyes are sharp, and her voice strong as she speaks the traditional words.
"It is said that this happened long, long ago, before your ancestors' ancestors were even a passing thought in the gods' great minds. I tell it to you as it was told to me, so that all might remember.
Once, our people were at war with the people of the valley. No one knew who or what had started the conflict, but neither side was willing to end it. It was a hard time, when sons were lost to war and daughters starved as the land meant for growing crops was churned by the feet of warriors and sown with their blood.
The valley people, seeking revenge for the death of kith and kin, snuck up on the village one night while the men were chasing a group sent to draw them off. They were set to attack when, from the forest came the yipping and barking of a dozen foxes, and the fierce howling of a dozen wolves. The women, children and elders awoke, as frightened as their interrupted attackers until something seemed to reassure them that it would be all right, and no harm would come to them.
A golden-white glow began to form in the forest all around the village, so that the villagers could see their attacker's silhouettes. Terrified by the noises and the inexplicable lights, the valley warriors fled, not stopping until they reached their village. Within a few days, they had gathered their people and belongings, moving far, far away.
After the valley warriors fled, the light dimmed and went out all around the village except beneath a single, large oak. The light coalesced, growing too bright to look at, and then with a flash went out. Where the light had been floated a small creature. It's body was like that of a small, genderless child, pale as moonlight with orange markings over much of it's body. It wore nothing but a string of pearl-like prayer beads draped around it's waist. It had multiple, luxurious fox-like tails that twined around each other such that the villagers could not say how many there were.
They started as a not-quite-voice sounded in their thoughts. I am Yoake. Do not worry, my people, for I will watch over you. You are dear to me. Now, sleep.
The next thing the villagers knew, it was morning and they were each in their own beds again, waking to the sounds of their men returning. They were weary and despondent, having lost the small party they chased. They were shocked to hear of the happenings of the night, and thanked the spirit for saving their people. That very day, exhausted though they were, they built the shrine to Yoake that stands still in the spot where it appeared, under the great oak. So was it told to me, and so shall you tell it when the time comes."
The elder blinked eyes half-blinded from staring into the fire as she told the story, as if she could see it unfold in the dancing flames. She stifled a groan as she stood, painfully and with much creaking. She looked at the awed young faces around her with satisfaction. Yoake, watch over them. she thought as she hobbled back to her tent and her soft, warm bed of furs. As she lay down, knowing, as old people sometimes do, that she would not be getting up in the morning, she though she heard a kind, child-like voice murmur Of course.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 6:09 pm
"Oh oh, Grandfather! Tell us a story, a story!" The soft sweet voice of a little girl floated through the thick air that seemed to drape the world at dusk. The other children, who had heard the little girl, all began to nod their heads in unison as they murmured excited promptings for a story as well. There, in front of them stood one of the oldest and wisest men in the village. He was the story teller and some even said he could communicate with the spirits of the forest. The man was called Grandfather by most, for he was old enough to be a grandfather to a vast majority of the people who inhabited the village. All around the fire, children gathered once or twice a week to sit and listen to Grandfather weave stories with his silken tongue. And today was no different. As Grandfather settled himself upon his "telling log", he chuckled and replied in his usual manner, "Since when have I told you anything else BUT a story? No... don't answer... calm yourselves, and listen, for I am about to tell you a story that took place during my lifetime. It is important for you children to understand the importance of our forest spirits, and maybe this story will give you a bit more respect for them... AND the forest..." Grandfather frowned and stared intensely at a little boy who was, with all the amusement in the world, pulling grass out of the ground and throwing it around. The boy was so intent on his actions, that he did not at first notice Grandfather's stare, but soon it was inevitable. The boy felt he was being watching and looked up to see Grandfather's steely gaze and he blanched. Grandfather, seemingly pleased with what he accomplished with a single look, simply shook his head to himself slowly and coughed, beginning his story....
"It was a dark and stormy night, just like many of our summer nights. Lighting flashed and thunder boomed and, for most of us youngsters, it seemed as though the sky itself was trying to tear itself apart. Yes, at the time I was a young child, quite like you all are now. In those days, before you could become a "man", a boy had to prove his bravery to the rest of the village. We did then, as we do now, fear lightning storms for they brought nothing but misfortune to our little village. From rock and mud slides to forest fires, lightning storms were usually at the heart of our summer problems. A couple days before, a young woman came running into the village yelling that she had seen a ghost wandering the trees around our encampment. And since then, bad things had been happening. Some one's house had collapsed on itself for no reason; the dead embers of a fire we thought to be put out burst to flames in the middle of the night and almost caught out leader on fire; There were even problems with strange disappearances of items such as pots and pans... which we usually found later in the trees around the village. Little things like that slowly pulled at our nerves, until the storm. The storm is what forced people into a panicked state, and panicked people begin to make panicked explanations for everything that was going wrong. They began to blame the woman and the "ghost" she saw. Back then, I did not believe in spirits, so I thought it was ridiculous and decided to prove the village wrong. I told the leader that I would travel to Mist Lake and back, and that if there was a malevolent spirit out there, I would not be able to come back from such a distance unharmed. But if I DID manage to come back unharmed, than the talk of evil spirits was to stop. Our leader accepted and told me that this could also be the test for my manhood. He told me I needed to bring the bright yellow and white flower that grew only around Mist Lake back to the village to prove that I had been all the way there. And so my journey began... I had 7 days; 3 to get there, a day to rest, and 3 days to get back."
"Everything seemed fine on my way to Mist Lake, though there were a couple strange occurrences. The possessions that I brought along with me went missing just like the pots and pans in the village and... other such things.... But the most disturbing happening was when I woke up to find the carcass of a raccoon curled up in my sleeping pouch with me, even though I was sure I had not felt anything crawl into my sleeping pouch during the night. Nothing physically happened to me... that is... not until I reached Mist Lake. Now for those of you that don't know, Mist Lake was always fabled to be the Lake of Spirits, which I thought was ridiculous at the time. As I stepped out of the trees and towards the water, I was immediately surrounded by such an intensely thick fog that I could barely see an arms length in front of me. I had been to Mist Lake before, and never had it been so very foggy. But I ignored the warning signs and walked to the edge of the water where I bent down for a drink. Just was I was about to take a gulp, an involuntary shiver ran down my back, as though some one put ice in my shirt. I looked into the water and saw a shadowy figure where my reflection should have been. Angry and scared, I quickly pounded at the water, splashing the surface and scattering the image. Suddenly, I felt a hand on my shoulder, and when I turned to look at the hand, I saw that it was entirely made of bones. Now, I believe that even the bravest solider would have been scared at that point, and I did the only natural thing to do when one is scared, I ran. I ran through the fog though I had no idea were I was going. Soon, I felt the presence disappear from behind me and I was about to relax when I figured out I did not know where I was. After walking around for a bit, almost completely blind in the milky whiteness, I pitched camp and waited till the morning sun would come to burn off some of the fog."
"I waited and waited, and just as I was about to curl up in my sleeping pouch, I saw something moving in the mist. I grabbed my trusty bow and arrow, and began to run towards the figure, hoping to get in close enough range that I would be able to strike a killing bow. What happened then occurred so quickly that my old mind still whirls around as I try to grasp the enormity of the situation. As I aimed for the figure, a strange chill ran through me again. With a new conviction that the figure in front of me was an evil presence, I pulled back on the bow and loosed an arrow. Then, within that same moment I was buffeted in the side by a force stronger than even the wiliest bull. I lay on the ground, paralyzed for just a moment as a great looming shadow slithered towards me, its white teeth and claws glinting even in the absence of light. I would have shot at the thing, I know I would have, if I hadn't been so darn winded. What happened then though, was a miracle. A small white figure strode out from the mist from the direction in which I shot. It was holding my arrow in its ghostly hands. The white figure than pulled out a bow of its own, and aimed at me. For a moment I thought I was dead, until I saw the white sprite swing the bow up and to the side, stait at the shadowy figure. The white sprite loosed a glowing arrow which lodged itself in what I think would have been the shadow's heart, if it had one. The shadow ghost loosed a guttural animal scream before disappearing into the night. Within a moment, the fog began to clear and when I turned to look for the white sprite, it was gone."
"I remember smiling as I felt a great weight being lifted off my shoulders, while I returned to my camp. I found the place where I had camped with ease, now that the thick fog had dissipated, but I stopped dead with surprise. All of my belongings where hanging in the near by trees, just as the pot and pans at the village had been hanging. I placed a confused hand to the back of my head when I saw the white figure lounging beneath a tree and watching me. I grumbled angrily and the little sprite just laughed and ran off, his mischief done for the day. At the point, I laughed as well, and I understood what the little trickster had done. HE was the spirit the village woman had seen, and he was the one that had played jokes on the villagers for the past few weeks. And then, the shadow ghost came and bad things began to happen, like the collapse of a house and the storm. While I had been traveling, the little sprite was warning me not to go to the Lake of Spirits, but I was stupid enough to ignore the signs. So the sprite had to finish off the shadow ghost himself, and, as payment for staving my life, I knew I would have to put up with the little sprites jokes for a while. So I gathered my things with a rueful smile on my face, then I harvested the Mist Lake flower, and headed home. All the while on my trip back, every once in a while, I could see a little flash of white out of the corner of my eye, but every time I turned to look at it, nothing was there. I came home and told my leader and the village my story and presented my flower. That day, I became a man, and our little white sprite was dubbed the Forest Spirit. And to this day, sometimes I can still hear that little sprites laugh as I had on that day it saved my life. And so... my dear children... This goes to show that if you take care of the forest, the forest will take care of you..." The old man took a deep breath as the children stared at him, awestruck, everyone of them. But soon, they began to clamor for another story as children always did, but Grandfather simply raised his hand and shook his head slowly, "Off to bed with you children, and remember what I have told you...". The children sighed dejectedly and wandered home, but Grandfather simply sat on his log and stared into the fire. Suddenly, a small spark flew onto his right shoe and it burst into a tiny flame. Grandfather yelped and was just about to stamp the flame out when he spotted a little white and orange figure leaning against a tree in the distance. Grandfather smiled, but then, just as suddenly as the little sprite appeared, it disappeared with a great gust of wind that blew out the small flame on Grandfather's foot. Grandfather flopped back onto his log and spoke out loud, to no one in particular, "Still casuing mischief I see..." The only reply he recieved was a light breeze on which traveled the echoing laugh of the sprite, just as it had on the day the Forest Spirit saved Grandfather's life...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 1:04 pm
"Come, come, let me tell you the story of Inari-sama, my dear children." the Elder speaks as he leans closer to the campfire. Around him he can see the excited faces of the children as they await to hear his tale. They had gathered on that day since he had promised to tell them the tale of the forest spirit.
"Once upon a long long time ago when humans had yet to walk these lands it was home to three very special deities. Those we all know as the Inari Sanza and they are protectors to our people, bringing good luck to everyone and letting the village prosper. At that time the three kami were still young. They had been nurtured by the Great Gods, Izanagi no Mikoto, Izanami no Mikoto and Wakumusubi and soon became the deities of water, grain and land, Omiyame no Mikoto, Ukanomitama no Mikoto and Sarutahiko no Mikami. And so the three gods made this valley their home and the river flowed through the rocks of the mountain and maid the land fertile and wild rice grew in the moistenned soil. Trees sprouted overnight and became great and tall creating the forest and the trees bore fruit to feed the animals who came by the northern wind to rest from their long and perillous journey in the lands of the frozen north. It was this how the valley was filled with life, and so it prospered in peaceful bliss until the day the humans came."
"The humans did not know of the gods that created this place nor that it was their home. They only saw a piece of green and fertile land, ideal to build their village on. And so they cut down trees to make their homes and created canals to tame the water and harvested the rice and hunted the animals to feed. Of course the kami were not pleased by the selfishness of the humans and so angered they brought a cataclysm on the valley which raged for thirty days and nights. When the storm finally subsided the villagers found that most of everything they've built had been destroyed but instead of praying to the gods for help, asking for forgivence they tried to put everything back together again. The gods not knowing what else to do gathered all the animals in the forest to discuss what was needed to be done. Everyone came; the hawks and the rats, the rabbits, the vipers and the deer, the cats, the dogs, the foxes and the wolves, ants, the butterflies, the sparrows, the squirells, the horses, the monkeys and every other animal."
"Omiyame was very sad "they dirtied my waters" she said, "And they cut down my rice" Ukanomitama agreed, "And the wounded the earth." Sarutahiko sighed. "We should chase them out." a wolf proposed "Or take their children." the cat spoke "Or ssssscare them away" a viper hissed as she glared at the rest. "But where will the humans go?" the compassionate Sarutahiko asked. There was a great commotion afterwards of ideas presented and overruled and countered."
"That night a young blacksmith named Munechika was wandering the woods. He had been troubled by the recent incidents and since he loved nature and everything living he returned night upon night in the forest to see if any animal was wounded or needed help despite the rule that the villagers should stay away from the dark forest and its creatures. Upon hearing the commotion he thought something bad might have happenned and so he rushed to where the sounds were coming from only to find himself amidst the meeting of the animals and the three kami. Angered the animals tried to attack him but where stopped by the gods."
" "What do you want here, human?" a dog barked at him, growling in a hostile manner and baring its bone-white teeth.
"Did you come to kill our young?" a mother rabbit glared at him
"Lets hear his version of the story too." Sarutahiko spoke giving the blacksmith a kind smile as he turned to look at his sisters. Omiyame and Ukanomitama shook their heads, agreeing with their brother.
Munechika was scared at first of the supernatural entities that seemed to have taken hold of the forest, for a moment he doubted himself, his love for nature, dared to think that what the village elders said was true, in the end it was the reply the three kami gave that calmed him down, reassured him it was going to be alright."
" "I was worried that the humans might have somehow hurt the creatures of the forest." Munechika said. His words caused great commotion, most of the animals refusing to believe him.
"Then why won't he defent us?" a crow croaked from the branch it was perched upon. "Yes, why won't he stand up for us?" some monkeys tagged along, deciding it wasn't good to argue.
"Silence!" a booming voice rose above all others. The requested silence occured almost immediately and the animals stepped aside to let the speaker come through. A great deer walked among the animals and came in the center of the circle. It studied Munechika with its wise, deep eyes and heaved a sigh. "He can't stand up for us. It's not the way humans do things." "
" "Then what is the way they do things, Nara-sama?" it was a young fox that had spoken. The other foxes looked at her stunned. How dared a young soul like her adress the master of the forest in such a manner? Her sisters tried to apologize but where taken aback by the deer's stare.
"Humans compete with each other to prove themselves." the deer said, bending its head with the proud antlers to look at the fox better, then turned to Munechika again. "What is your elder the best at, human?" it asked."
"Munechika thought about it for some moments. What was the elder the best at? "He was master Blacksmith before he was an elder." he finally replied. "If you make better a sword than he can make will he acknowledge you as better?" the deer asked.
"But its impossible for me to forge a sword better than Sensei." Munechika protested.
"I didn't ask you that." the deer talked back slightly annoyed at the human boy. Munechika sighed. He wasn't sure of himself, he was afraid he was to get into a fight he couldn't win.
"I suppose so." he finally spoke what was the truth.
"Then we will help you create a sword like no other." the deer said. "Because you are our friend and care for us, we shall care for you in return. Now who will help this young man in his task?" it asked looking around at the other creatures."
"No reply came as no animal wanted to trust the human. They were afraid of the deer's anger but didn't want to side with the humans either. The deer sighed. "No one?" he questioned. "Will no one help make peace between the humans and spirits of this forest?"
The three kami looked at the animals with sadenned expressions. They had no right to force them do anything even though superior creatures as compared to them. Turning away they were about to leave when a small voice spoke up."
" "I will go with him. I will do it." everyone turned in surprise to see the fox that had spoken before approach Munechika and Nara-sama in the center of the circle. Pleased by the fox's reply the three kami bestowed upon her three gifts. Omiyame bathed the fox in enchanted water and gave her a humanlike appearance to aid the young blacksmith in his quest, Ukanomitama fed her fruit from her sacred tree and gave her the ability to bear the elements of nature to aid her in her task and finally Sarutahiko took a piece of earth and gave it to her. The metal inside the rock was like nothing man had seen before, it appeared to be liquid and warm yet it was hard to the touch and sharp like a razor.
"Those gifts we bestow to you." the three kami said. "Use them wisely and see your task to its fateful end." "
"Munechika and the fox left together and returned to the village where the young man challenged the elder on the following day. The Elder laughed at him but accepted the challenge nontheless. After all he was the one that taught Munechika the way of the Blacksmith, there was no way the boy would surpass him. The two agreed to work on a blade each until the moon was full and present it on that day."
"It wasn't easy a task to forge a blade out of the metal that Sarutahiko no Mikami gave him. Munechika soon realized that it was impossible. Not knowing what he should do he turned to the fox for help. Using the magic Ukanomitama gave her she extracted the metal from the rock. Then with water she cooled the metal down and warming it up with her fire, helped Munechika to shape it. Until the moon was full the blade was done."
"A large crowed had gathered in the village's square where the presentation was going to occur. After a long speech the Elder finally brought forth his blade. A long, thin sword waving like a snake's body. It sparkled in the moonlight like a thousand stars and its blade was encrusted with jewels. The Elder said its name was Youhebi, the 'jewel snake'. Munechika's sword wasn't impressive. It was a simple short katana with no distinguishing marks whatsoever. He had named it Kogitsune, "small fox", after the young forest spirit that had helped in its creation.
To determine the better blade the two men had to fight. Whoevers sword held out the best was the one that was going to be the winner."
"The battle didn't hold for too long, thankfully, since Munechika was not a warrior. A few clashes of the two blades was all it took for the Elder's sword to break in a thousand pieces, powerless against Munechika's enchanted blade. Ashamed, the Elder passed his title down to Munechika who became the village's next Elder. As the Elder he ordered that people would not disturb the forest anymore and built a small shrine to honour the kami of the forest. As for the little fox that aided Munechika he didn't see her again, nor did he ever meet the other spirits of the forest or the kami. When he told his tale to someone they said it might have been a divine dream and nothing of it was real, however he kept believing through all his years as an Elder. The sword Kogitsune was never used again, and was enshrined in the shrine of the three kami as well. It should never be used as it had already served the purpose for which it was made. It had delivered justice showing that only through co-operation and friendship can there be prosperity and so to use it for means foul would be very bad."
"Munechika dissapeared one day and no word was heard of him ever again. They say that one day Nara-sama appeared by the woods and the Elder now blacksmith realized that he was called by the spirits of Nature to become one of them and followed him. They say his body peeled away to show his true nature and he became a radiant bird that now watches over the village to make sure the Elders never break the unspoken promise between the spirits of the forest and the humans.
Some say that on foggy days, if one wanders close enough yet far from the Forest Shrine, one can see Munechika sitting by the Shrine, a fox by his side. And others claim that now and again if one has a pure heart and an open mind and keep their eyes peeled one can sometimes see the spirit of the fox that aided Munechika walk between the trees, watching the village from a distance to make sure everything is okay.
And children like you..." the Elder laughed "...like to leave bells and inari mochi by the Shrine and wait to see whose will be gone first, because you know that whenever one object dissapears... something good happens."
The children laughed and said goodnight to the elder, thanking him for the beautiful story then ran along to the village and their homes, where their mothers were waiting for them. The Elder smiled as he put out the fire and turned towards the forest before returning to the village. He blinked. For a moment he thought that from between the silver traces of night's humid mist he saw the figure of a deer, a man and fox leaving towards the deeper part of the forest. He laughed, sure that it was his tireness and the sleepyness that started setting in combined with his tale that brought this vision to him. Turning around again he leaned on his walking stick and slowly took the road back to the village.
Doing so he didn't see the pale figure sitting by the shrine, gently smiling, satisfied. Then the figure too was gone, a small wind chime echoing in the silence of the night.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 4:10 am
Our story begins long, long ago
It is a story you all should know
The moon was dark, stars shining bright
On a night very much like tonight
A shadow weaved its way through the woods
It darted and dashed as fast as it could
The shadow belonged to wise elder crone
And surely she knew she was not all alone
Someone or something was not far behind
It sent chills down the old woman’s spine
Cold eyes stared steadily at her back
As she hobbled along the beaten track
She caught a glimpse, one so remarkable
A creature only heard of in lore and fable
Believing it was just a trick of the light
She picked her pace, the village was in sight
Reaching her home, tired and pale
She gathered the elders to hear her tale
Word got out and rumours soon spread
The people were stricken with panic and dread
What was this being, why was it here?
Its presence alone filled us with fear
More stories arose from many travels
Into the woods as the mystery ravelled
Among the trees the travellers claim
To hear something calling their name
Ghostly lights flashed from every which way
And in the confusion they had gone astray
Adrift in the woods with the creature around
Some were frightened by strange eerie sounds
No matter what happened, one thing was sure
They all made it home because of its lure
The crone was curious so she went to see
If her suspicions would come to be
Out in the wilderness she went to visit
What the villagers called the ‘Forest Spirit’
Surely enough she heard the call
Out came floating, a misty white ball
It glowed and dispersed into a foggy blur
And formed at her feet, a fox of fine fur
Around the crone it yelped and it ran
It rubbed up against her old withered hand
For it was happy that for the first time
Did not a human flee and leave it behind
She saw the spirit’s playful nature
It was a mischievous, but lonely creature
Convinced that all it wanted was a friend
She promised the villagers would come again
So when you are lost, my children, do not fear
The Forest Spirit is always near
Follow her lead through where she roams
And she will lead you safely back home
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 11:52 am
Eagerness filled the air like an invisible current of electricity. Children felt the spark and fed its wild hunger with hushed whispers, passing it down one child to the next with a mere look, a spreading grin, a retelling of their own. One said it was too gory for grownups to ever hear, which was why the elder only told it to the younglings, and that frightened some of the more sensitive bunch and made them anxious. Several were new to the group, having just passed twenty seasons; this was an initiation event of sorts for them rather than a simple story-telling time, for the village prided itself upon the peculiar occupant of their forest, and it was a unique trait for them that was almost guaranteed gloating rights when they visited other settlements. Too bad no-one beyond the village believed there were such things as their Forest Spirit.
There! Two children pointed as the door to the elder's home squeaked open and, accompanied by an attendant wearing a deviously grinning fox-mask for the occasion to his left and the chieftain in his regular swath of an earthen cloak draping his bare shoulders to his right, a man stepped forth. The elder was a very revered man, having once dabbled in the domain of shamans, and he looked as fit as a horse rather than a typical view of what elders would be; though he still carried a “staff” for a walking stick to play the part for fun, though it was rumored to really only be a fallen branch he had picked up after a storm one night and had nothing truly special about it other than being charcoal black. Playing with the wildest of children, discussing the serious matters of whether red was a manlier color than blue on boys' tunics, setting up games for the more energetic to dominate, reading aloud for the quiet ones who stuck to the comfort of their homes: he was a youthful personality trapped inside wiry, russet colored skin, masked by a peppered gray and white beard that threatened to consume the lower half of his face; many a child liked to tug it, to his amusement. To the village, he was known as Elder only – but to the children, he was simply The Mage, the man who knew everything there was to know about anything.
Well, except his own name. But he was only human after all.
When he arrived with the attending party of two, the invisible current betwixt the children became wired and – as one – turned their eyes upon The Mage as he took a seat not in the highbacked and ornate chair the chief provided him before the small mass, but rather stood in the small space between it and the children. His oblong face stretched into a mile-long smile that creased into well-worn lines about his eyes and mouth. Silence reigned. When he spoke, the compacted static between the children culminated into a lightning bolt – the bright flash which was tell-tale of the low thunder of a voice that would begin the story. Yet tonight it was now as playful as the rain that followed storms, pattering against their eardrums like fingers upon the goatskin drum.
Once upon a time there was a pretty little girl
By the pretty little name of Kagami
She was quiet, she was kind
And she had an open mind
About a spirit realm that she could not see
She would visit all the flowers and converse with the trees
Yet her fellow man she did not speak to
For her head was in the sky
And her eyes would only spy
What she thought was paranormal yet true
“There are ghosts! There are monsters in the forest!” she cried
But the villagers could not care less
“She is raving!”, “She is ranting!”
“Dear Kagami's only planting
Tiny seeds created from her stress.”
For Kagami was engaged to a handsome young man
Who, although sometimes considerate and trusting,
Was a boy of intense rage
And jealousy like a cage
That in all she had found quite disgusting
So the night before her wedding when she was all dressed up
The bride escaped beneath a bright moon
To retreat into the trees
And entreat to them her pleas
That her situation be fixed soon
It was soon that she heard with a cackle in the night
That a little strange fox had come
With a curious grin
And a tilt of its chin
It said, “Why, you seem in a slum!”
So surprised to see an animal that also could talk
Momentarily Kagami was silent
Then she brought her words back
“Oh, please don't attack
Strange fox, for I will not grow violent!”
And she explained to it her problem with a tear-filled voice
To which the strange fox merely smiled at
“I've an answer for you
That will solve my problem too
Though I highly doubt that you would like that.”
She could hear her husband's shouts coming slowly near
Along with the bride's own family
“Do whatever is needed
Just as long as you've succeeded
In hiding me,” she said very quickly
So the fox drew close and with its nose touched her brow
And a bright flash of light was seen
Yet by the time they came
Led along by a flame
All they saw was a figure serene
“Inari!” a child prompted suddenly in the small lull between stanzas.
“Not quite: one of its many messengers blessed her,” the chieftain explained, miffed at the interruption in his hidden impatience to return home, knowing it was almost finished. “It did so without the consent of the god Inari. It was a very rare and selfish kitsune indeed.” The Elder finished up.
She was draped in white and orange clothe
With a number of tails count nine
The husband fell to his knees
And began to appease
“Forest Spirit, please return what is mine!”
“Why 'what' and not 'who'?” said the Forest Spirit
“Are you so impolite and rude?
Now I breathe and can feel
This world's unique appeal
And she need not deal with you, dude.”
The Elder took a deep breath then, having tried to keep the story as smooth and with as little breaks as possible in-between each stanza. “I haven't quite finished the rest in that style, children,” he told them with that great ivory smile flavored with humble apology. “But I haven't forgotten the rest of the legend! The husband was forced to return home wifeless, never again to wed. But why is that, I wonder? He was a very handsome, charming, influential young man whom was often chased by other women who wished to soothe the loss of his wife with their own company. Why would he not take another's hand after Kagami, especially if he had mistreated her so?”
Those who had heard the story before already knew and gave each other secret grins, deciding to dangle the information before the newbies who seemed enraptured by the tale. “Weeeeee know what theeeeeey don't~”
“Wouldn't he be too guilty to marry again?” one dark-haired boy asked.
“Very much so. But that wasn't why.”
“Is it because he wanted to be devout to her?” asked a dreamy-eyed girl. “Like a knight that would love only her?” The Mage shook his head.
“Not quite. Here's a hint: does anyone know what Kagami means?”
Murmurs. The knowing passed glances and watched the reactions of everyone else, several oblivious ones waited impatiently while wondering why he was dragging out this stupid story when they wanted to sleep halfway through, and the ever more mulish berated their older friends until at last one succumbed and gave the answer.
“Doesn't it mean 'mirror', sir?”
The Mage nodded. “Yes it does, and a veeeery interesting name it is. For anytime the husband grew too romantically close to another woman, he would instead begin to see Kagami's face, forever twisted by the kitsune's possession into a devious grin. Even if the woman was angered or grieving, he would only be greeted with a knowing smirk that chilled the man enough to never keep such close relationships again. Sometimes, he would even see his own face reflected back at him instead of the woman's, chiseled looks etched with despair and gaping through hollowed eyes.”
“That's horrible . . .”
“Sick, man. I'd be creeped out.”
“Can we sleep already?”
Others bobbed their heads, growing restless in their seats.
“Go right along, then,” The Mage shooed good-naturedly. “And treat your mothers right lest you bring the Forest Spirit down upon herself!” Mixed reactions of relief, awe, slight anxiety that the kitsune would visit them too, and simple exhaustion from the day's work met him as the children stood and broke off to walk home. The chieftain, too, soon departed to return to his wife and get some well-deserved rest, leaving the attendant alone with The Mage – now only The Elder, oldest among all in the village, his magic worked and completed. The grizzled man leaned upon his charred black staff as though he were drained from the retelling. She made to leave – he stopped her with a look and beckoned to follow. They began to walk together.
She spoke first after a couplet of footsteps between them: “'Dude'?” A quiet snort.
“The science of rhymes is not my forte. Corners had to be cut.”
“How noble of you.” The mask tilted up to view the clouded skies, the obscured quarter-moon to their upper-right following their path to the outermost boundaries of the village.
“I apologize if it displeased you.”
“Hmm.” A delicate finger indented itself into her chin just below the edge of the painted mask, coy, childlike – disruptive movements for a grown woman. Several shimmering giggles. “Details, sir. I am not one to look too closely at them in the long run.” Having too much time at one's disposal would do that.
“Then it was done according to your will? I kept the elements of the story as exact as the rhymes could allow me.”
“Good enough. I liked the rhymes~” the attendant cooed from behind her mask, smirking. “Very nice touch; it pleases me. Too bad you couldn't do that the whole way through.”
“I'm working on it, madam, you know that,” he said quickly, restlessness leaking into his tone. Now at the edge of the flat ground that led into the legendary forest spoken of in the tale, the Elder turned to her with an urgent look in his dark eyes. “Now, we had an agreement.”
More girlish giggles. The attendant seemed to bounce on her toes past the invisible line between the village and the small untended area of wild that encompassed a strip between the settlement and the woods. She turned, now two fingers touching her chin. “Why yes, I think we did. You tell my story until your dying breath, and I will give you back your name that you so tragically forgot after that little incident in the forest.”
The Elder's face no longer drew upon smile lines, but rather on the weary, time-worn wrinkles more befitting one of his ripe age. He seemed to grow older the longer he stayed in her presence even. But here he would at last be told what he had been deemed at birth by his parents, and from then the memories would be unlocked: his parents, his true home, his heritage – all returned to him as it rightfully should have many years ago. And then, he would be able to forget this business with the kitsune. “That was the deal, yes.”
“So impatient,” rebuked the masked one, tilting the mask up to reveal a pale woman's face: yet there was something wrong with it, something missing that rendered it incapable of ever belonging to a human; only an orange and white furred copy with slanted, unreadable eyes and a cheshire grin marred with permanent scorn at the edges of her lips – a mask revealing yet another mask far more fearsome, the casual smirk belying the intensity of the kitsune's power. The Elder drew back with some fear, gripping his staff with a sweaty palm.
“Here.”
He was tossed a tiny scroll of wheat-colored parchment neatly tied with a yarn-thin brown silk ribbon. Without hesitation he undid the knot and pulled open the scroll – here at last was what he had been longing for his whole long life, given to him so easily! There were only several lines written in a very child-like scrawl inside. The Elder stood rigid for the breadth of several seconds as he scanned it, and then quite suddenly jerked his head up. He gaped, glared, guffawed madly at nothing: she had been whisked away.
Inside was written:
[ She still loves you in death, you know. You're a lucky little man, Smellerton McFargus, because her body is rocking as a vessel.
Sincerely,
The Forest Spirit, a.k.a. Lady Fox a.k.a., Not!Kagami ~<3 ]
No-one heard from The Elder ever again in the village after that night. His disappearance spawned forth new rumors in its wake, the story-teller now the protagonist of his own legend, the single drop forming rings in the still water that spread to every corner of the pond, disturbing the calm. Perhaps he had been so enamored with the lore he spoke of so frequently that he struck out to make it a reality and sought the kitsune himself for the husband's revenge. Several believed that he finally recalled his true name and was now on his way home, maybe to a grieving wife and family that had missed him for many years. Some thought he had become afflicted with wanderlust, having stayed a plethora of moons within the village as their elder, shaman, and second-in-command; perhaps he had grown tired of his rank and decided to live out the rest of his days as a simple man. Still others simply claimed that he had died while doing nightly rounds and that there was nothing more to it. Yet where was the body? No trace of The Elder was ever uncovered.
In any case, Kagami's legend was forbidden to be uttered to the children, lest they be inspired to seek out the deviant kitsune themselves and bring onto their settlement even more woe, trouble, and karma . . .
And it was this ultimate lesson - not "to treat women, especially your wife, right" as it was in the story of Kagami, though it was quite a good truth to know - that the kitsune was aiming to drill through their dreaming skulls, even though she was merely a bystander in the guise of a beautiful woman in this realm: amoral, mercurial, and more than willing to teach humility. For in her opinion, no human should ever mess with the spiritual realm to begin with. And if it took something like the utter possession of a woman, the twisting and breaking of a man, and the duping of that man's aged self with a promise worded enough to her advantage, then so be it.
Though Inari and its meseengers would not be pleased with her dealings . . . The kitsune sighed as she danced back into the forest, tails dancing behind her in freedom as she waltzed her last as Kagami.
"Guess I will have to find a new body to be disguised as . . . Shame. Pity. Not many women have the knockers this one does."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
