Quote:
Personal Raincloud (11) : It’s a beautiful, sunny day in Destiny City–for everyone but you. There’s not a cloud in the sky–except for yours. No matter where you go, a dark cloud seems to hover, casting shadows wherever you go. It’s been raining since you woke up today, and it’s like bad luck and bad weather just follows you. It’s a constant downpour, always exactly where you are. The raincloud is usually big enough to easily cover a full building, so if you stick around for too long, your misfortune will turn into someone else’s too. The raincloud might follow you for a few hours or for the whole day before slowly fading; there’s no escaping it, or the strange, sombre mood that seems to follow you.

Wordcount: 586


“I am strong and resilient.” The woman muttered to herself as rain dripped around her. “I can get through anything.” She had been doing her best to remain sane as she quite literally rained on people’s day. Shannon didn’t know why, or how, but for some reason she ended up with her own personal raincloud. It had ruined her clothes, made her hair style pointless, and in general had people giving her a wide berth the entire day. No one else wanted to be caught in her rainstorm, or possibly end up with their own.

"I find peace and tranquility in the rain." That was a load of BS but there wasn’t anything Shannon could do! It wasn’t like she could wave her hand and get the clouds to disperse. Honestly, the most galling thing was that everyone else seemed to be enjoying a sunny and beautiful day. Everyone but her. She didn’t even have an umbrella to ease the downpour that was soaking her.

“I am grateful for the beauty of nature's rhythm, even in the rain." The affirmations were not really helping but they gave her something to focus on besides the way her silk blouse clung to her skin or how her hair would be a pain to dry out properly. Her only reprieve from the water was when she stepped inside, the clouds would clear suspiciously only to reappear rapidly the moment she stepped back outside. It was rude!

"Like the plants, I absorb the moisture and grow stronger." Shannon ran her thumb over the sapphire star charm she had in her pocket. It was a nervous tick really, one she was using to keep from going batty over the rain. The drip, drip, drip of the rain. The light was still red so it wasn’t like she could go anywhere, not until it was safe to cross the road. She would be patient, wait until the crosswalk cleared, and then stroll into the park on the other side. Might as well make use of her little black rain cloud. Besides, she was getting quite tired of the looks and the park was empty so it was the perfect place to go, to wallow in her own personal mental raincloud.

"I am grateful for the beauty of nature's rhythm, even in the rain." The light changed and she drifted across the street, silently going over the various mantras she was trying to learn. Something to help her focus on the here and now rather than the past. It was a trick she had picked up from self-help books, the whole load was full of crap but some of the affirmations helped her keep her temper in check. As Shannon walked through the park, conveniently watering the plants as she went, she absently fiddled with the charm, and just zoned out. Letting her mind wander, mostly just circle around the battle they fought just a few weeks ago against a giant snake like creature.

It was while mentally replaying everything she did, and should have done, that she realized she was no longer being rained on. She was still wet. Still soaked to the bone, but at least no further rain was falling. Not that it really mattered. She was still in a ruined outfit, looking like a drowned rat. At least now she could go home and get into some dry clothes… maybe a stiff drink. Something to try to shake the gloomy thoughts that were still plaguing her, affirmations be damned.