You would not believe your eyes
If ten million fireflies
Lit up the world as I fell asleep
Cuz they fill the open air
And leave teardrops everywhere
You think me rude, but I would just stand and stare
Eeva Subiani. Clan Leader. Fully-grown and beautiful, her head topped with the crown she would wear for the next seven cycles of the sun. She moved, sleek and silent, through the shadows of the night, true to the spirit of the clan.
A small pause brought her attention to the sparkles of gold twirling above the surface of the dream, imprinting pretty smudge reflections beneath them in the undisturbed water. She smiled and moved towards them, stepping carefully across the spongy earth. "Fireflies." And there were many of them. Hundreds? Thousands? Ten million?! The smile eased its way further across her face and, despite the fact she should have been sleeping, she felt grateful she was not.
This was a sight she was glad she had not missed.
"I'd like to make myself believe that I can do this..." She whispered. "I must."
I'd like to make myself believe
That planet earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep
Cuz everything is never as it seems
She moved to the water's edge, let her gaze float beyond the shimmering bodies of those fireflies, down towards the horizon that she would never explore. The horizon beyond the territory of the Ela'wadiyi pride. Despite her adventurous nature, she had never wanted to take any adventures beyond the borders of this land.
The plant was a big place, indeed, but she knew already - deep down in her heart and soul - that she had been born in the best place of all.
All those she cared about lived here. Her family. Her Clan members. Wingu...
Her face heated at the thought of him and she shifted, stepping into the water lightly. The fireflies altered their path, swirling around her, putting gold into her eyes and adding a magical glow to the mahogany pelt, tattooed with her life-story.
Cuz I get a thousand hugs
From ten thousand lightning bugs
As they try to teach me how to dance
A foxtrot above my head
A sockhop beneath my bed
The disco ball is just hanging by a thread
I'd like to make myself believe
That planet earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep
Cuz everything is never as it seems (when I fall asleep)
He had followed her out through the night and now he drew close, hovering on the bank, waiting for her to notice him. She seemed captivated by something, something he could not see even when he followed the line of her vision out to the horizon.
Perhaps what she saw was in her head, for her alone.
Smiling, he drew closer and spoke, softly. "Eevie."
She looked across at him, the wreath of leaves and feathers low across her forehead. "Dad." She smiled and the white of her teeth were highlighted by the touch of moonlight. "I didn't hear you."
He smiled wider and sat, the grass rustling against his sides. "Of course not. You never hear a shadow when it approaches." He paused, thoughtful. "I'm so proud of you, love."
"Thank you." She whispered, moving back away from the water and stepping towards him. She reached out and hugged him close. "I feel different. Is that weird? I feel...as if I've changed, transformed into something else."
"Not weird at all, Eevie. You have changed, but for the better. You've grown into a fine, young lioness and today you took on a responsibility that few have ever had to shoulder. The Clan will grow and they will look to you for help. It will not be easy, but I know you can do it. You have your mother's strength and determination."
"And your patience." She replied fondly. "Or atleast, I hope I do." She smiled, moving to sit beside him.
Leave my door open just a crack
(Please take me away from here)
Cuz I feel like such an insomniac
(Please take me away from here)
Why do I tire of counting sheep?
(Please take me away from here)
When I'm far to tired to fall asleep
"It's getting late." Ona'raha continued, his voice hushed so as not to disturb the peace of the night. "And you will have a busy day ahead, celebrating and meeting with everyone." His eyes sparkled. "They will want to see their newly 'crowned' leader and give their congratulations, I am sure."
He blinked and a stray breeze caught the feather at his ear, tousling it playfully. He lifted his head, breathing deep and sighed softly. Like Eeva, he felt tied to this land. It was an undescrible love for this land and those who lived in it.
"I feel like I've turned into an insomniac." Eeva laughed quietly. "I tried sleeping but sleep kept evading me. I tired of counting sheep." Her head was buzzing with excitement and nervousness. Part of her wanted to go and find Wingu and tell him everything of what had happened. Part of her wanted to tell him the words her heart sang in his presence.
But it still seemed an inappropriate time.
Ona'raha stood, pressed his head briefly to her cheek and then gave her an understanding look. "You've had a big day and it's not over yet. It's understandable. Even still, it couldn't hurt to try. Will you walk back with me? I should probably head back before your mother notices and wonders where I've gotten to."
"I think I'll stay here a little longer, if you don't mind, Dad." She cast him an apologetic look but he didn't seem to mind. She watched him turn and leave, murmering a goodbye. Then, when the darkness had consumed him from sight, she returned her gaze back to the fireflies.
They calmed her.
To ten million fireflies
I'm weird cuz I hate goodbyes
I got misty eyes as they said farewell (said farewell)
But I know where several are
If my dreams get real bizarre
Cuz I saved a few and I keep 'em in a jar
And as she was left alone, watching the play of those insects, she felt her eyes grow misty, felt the tears come unbidden. She sniffed them back, wondering what was wrong with her.
She was not usually so emotional in this way. Yes, energetic and talkative, but never the type to just burst into tears.
"Farewell..." She whispered, realising that she truly was grown up. Truly independant. A part of her wanted to be a child again, so that she could rely on her parents to fix things. But now there would be things that only she could fix. She couldn't rely on them for everything anymore.
I'd like to make myself believe
That planet earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep
Cuz everything is never as it seems (when I fall asleep)
I'd like to make myself believe
That planet earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep
Cuz everything is never as it seems (when I fall asleep)
I'd like to make myself believe
That planet earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep
Because my dreams are bursting at the seams
"I'd like to make myself believe that everything will turn out right..." She sank down onto her belly, watched those fireflies dance tirelessly before her, their shapes so beautiful.
And though she fought it, she felt the beginnings of sleep creeping up on her, weighing down her eyes.
Her head came to rest upon her forepaws and as the night drew closer around her, sleep came, taking her to dreams until the sun woke her as it rose up into daylight.
