Michael has asked us to weave a tale about journeying beyond the veil of mist – with a fairy tale aura.
I’ve been overthinking, overproducing of late – afraid of losing words if I don’t continually use them. So, this is a stream of consciousness, free fall piece. I had intended to use the prompt to properly introduce characters that haunt me in my private writing – causing rewrites, rethinking, re-plotting multiple times. But, that would require that I think, overthink, how to place Calaxia and Jacobin in the proper context. So, I just let the words go, and the names were used. If I sit on this, as I should, to let it ripen and age, I will miss (as I often do), Michael’s prompt for mlmm; seems like not quite the write/right thing to do. So, read at your own risk – more writing in the raw.
Beyond the veil of mist, an ashen world holds its breath. Stillness down to the bone. A quiet so deep, her footfalls make no sound on the leaf-strewn fall path.
Dressed in misty colours, blending as a chameleon into the air, Calaxia longs for cry of a hawk, snap of a branch, skutter in the under-forest. Shapes shifting through the periphery of the greyness; a lichen-licked ghost pine tree, wolf or wraith slinking along side her.
Her forehead beads with moisture – liquid air melding with cold sweat. Her breath, short puffs hung suspended like dragon’s .
Familiar territory, if only as a dreamscape. All light, newish moon or clouded sun, doving grey into the mists. Cobwebs of beams.
Flashing like the slash of a wound, the red ribbon overhangs the trail, caught upon an ancient, bending thorn bush. Releasing into her hands, she felt its frayed edges, tattered ends. The only splash of colour in the washed out forest. Using her free hand, and teeth, she knots the ribbon around her wrist, tailing down like a stream of blood.
Pushing her hood down, settling across her shoulders, even her raven’s hair was dull in this mystical non-light. Amethyst eyes blinked against the sameness. “Jacobin,” she cried, clapping her hands, ribbon cutting through the grey. To waken, or slip forever into this misty veil.
Photo credit: Adventures in the Wild
Lorraine's frilly freudian slip 
February 24, 2017 at 5:35 pm
I think you have done a great job Lorraine, let the words flow and see where they take you and as the comments above state you have written beautifully….so well done, glad you could let it all hang out so to speak…
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February 25, 2017 at 8:14 pm
Thanks, Michael. It was a very visual prompt — well chosen.
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February 24, 2017 at 10:45 am
as someone sort of on the inside, so to speak, you see – well, (((((((Lorraine))))) …. follow and trust your instincts – more.often. – as possible.
for a purely SOCs writing – this has it all – a story (at the very least, the sense of a character on a journey) and there is ambiance, detail, essence, tension, description – and a wholly unique and yet completely familiar set of words and phrases that truly paint an incredible picture …..
and this is where you shine – at the moment – so let the micro bursts and socs just run – and you don’t need anyone’s permission or have to fulfill anyone’s expectations …..
this is an amazing piece – just as it is – I felt and fell right alongside into the mists – and that? most excellent :)
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February 25, 2017 at 8:16 pm
Thanks, Pat. I’m glad my words transported you into the mists for awhile.
Sometimes, as you’ve said, creativity has to be let to flow, or rest. This was the flow.
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February 26, 2017 at 8:59 am
yes … flow and rest ….. and when we actively resist – trouble begins.
Hope you’re feeling a bit or a lot better – less pain and all …. so more hugs ((((((Lorraine))))))) and may Sunday and the week bring nothing but much better moments and feelings. :)
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February 26, 2017 at 11:25 am
Thanks Pat. This week was crazy — hoping for better the coming week.
(((((hugs)))))
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February 26, 2017 at 5:07 pm
I hope so too :)
And thanks for the hugs …. GREATLY appreciated :)
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February 26, 2017 at 10:43 pm
Anytime, (((((hugs))))).
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February 23, 2017 at 3:50 pm
That’s a beautifully written stream of consciousness, a compelling and engaging tale. Lovely :-)
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February 23, 2017 at 11:01 pm
Thank you Stephanie. I overthink my creativity/imagination because of this feeling of lose of words. If I just go, turning off self-editor, sometimes words come back.
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February 24, 2017 at 1:26 am
Aren’t we often our harshest critic 😉?
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February 24, 2017 at 8:54 am
Most definitely!
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February 23, 2017 at 2:03 pm
This was very well written. Personally, I only write about the characters and ideas that compel me. I’ve given up on trying to create stories that will “sell.” I often think the “free fall” pieces are the best.
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February 23, 2017 at 10:58 pm
Thank you, Cara. The free fall means I’m not thinking/overthinking. Writing just as a pure form with no expectations. I never think anything I write will sell — my private stuff is long form, and always playing in my mind more than on the screen/page.
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