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Impressions and Memories - Myxie Tryxle

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Myxie Tryxle Myxie Tryxle Find all posts by this user Artificer and Inventor Posts:189 Joined:Jun 2013 Character:Myxie Tryxle Linkshell:Artifice & Invention Server:Balmung Reputation: 50 RE: Impressions and Memories - Myxie Tryxle | #3 08-16-2013, 02:00 AM (( For the purposes of this story, Mikhi is eighteen years old. )) Mikhi listened for a while until her sisters’ breathing became slow and rhythmic. Convinced that they were asleep, she sat up slowly, grabbed the small bag underneath her cot, and tiptoed to the door. She opened the cabin door excruitiatingly slowly to avoid making any sound and slipped out, closing the door with equal care. The sun hung low in the morning sky. Clutching her package, Mikhi started walking along the bottom of the cliff face. In the Shroud around her, she could hear the early morning chirping of birds. After a short walk, Mikhi found the cave in the cliff face. Peeking inside, she could see that it was empty. With one last glance around to make sure that no one was watching her, she ducked into the cave. Mikhi opened her parcel and took out a small pot of honey and small jug of cream as well as two bowls. She filled one bowl with the honey and the other with the cream, putting the empty containers back in the bag and tying it to her belt. Leaning over, she picked up the two bowls off the floor and held them, one in each hand, as she stood upright in the center of the small cave. For an hour Mikhi stood like a statue, watching the entrance to the small cave. She stretched occasionally as her arms got sore, but she never put down the dishes she held. She rolled several ideas around in her head to keep from becoming sleepy. Finally, she heard a deep, annoyed sigh, and a winged fae appeared at the entrance of the cave with a frown on her face. “You aren’t going to give up this time, are you?” asked the fae in a high pitched voice. Mikhi squeeled in delight. “I knew you couldn’t put me to sleep this time!” “It’s not like you offered me a choice,” replied the fae. “Are you going to give me those? It would be a shame for you to break our arrangement on the last payment.” “You’ll get them,” answered Mikhi. “I just wanted to talk, since I may not see you again.” The fae regarded the Miqo’te for a moment. “All right. I suppose there’s no harm in a little bit of gab. What did you want to talk about?” “I’d like to know your name,” Mikhi declared boldly. The fairy furrowed her brows. “You should know by now that names hold power. Why should I trust you to keep it safe?” “Well, for starters I’ve kept up my end of our bargain for the past five years, and I haven’t told anyone about it,” offered Mikhi. “That’s true, right up until today’s little coup,” the fae retorted. “The day’s not over,” countered Mikhi. A grin spread across the fairy’s face. “I think you and I both know which one of us would win if I choose to wait this out until midnight.” “Maybe you. Maybe neither of us.” Mikhi yawned as she crossed her legs and sat down on the floor of the cave. She balanced the two bowls precariously on her knees, angling them towards the entrance of the cave. The fairy’s eyes grew wide as she saw her prize at risk of tumbling to the dusty floor. “Careful. Careful!” The fae held both hands out in a calming gesture. “I mean it only seems fair, right?” asked Mikhi. “You know my name, I’m sure.” The fairy glared at the Miqo’te for a moment before speaking. “Fine, put the bowls safely on the floor, and I’ll give you part of my name.” Mikhi considered for a moment before answering. “I suppose your first name would be fine enough. Do you promise that if I place these two bowls safely on the floor for you that you’ll tell me your first name?” The fae shook her head. “You’re getting smarter with age, girl. Yes, I promise I’ll tell you my common name.” Mikhi eyed the fairy critically. “And a common name is equivalent to a first name?” The fae sighed. “Yes, a common name is generally how the fae refer to other fae they consider friends or equals.” Mikhi place the bowls carefully on the ground then clapped her hands in excitement. The fairy relaxed once her prize was safely placed. “Now understand that even this fraction of my name will draw my attention. You aren’t to use it willy-nilly. I don’t need to hear from you every time your mother yells at you or some boy cat stands you up for a date.” Mikhi nodded fervently. “I understand.” “Very well,” continued the fae. “You may call me Farawynn.” “Farawynn,” Mikhi repeated. “Does that mean we’re friends now?” Farawynn laughed. “Well, we both seem to have a knack for holding the other hostage.” Mikhi let out a nervous laugh. Farawynn smiled. “But that’s a decent place to start in my world. You’re becoming a worthy adversary, Mikhi Trikhel.” Mikhi continued to laugh nervously. “Well, that’s, uh... good, then. It’s a pleasure to properly meet you, Farawynn.” The two chatted for an hour while Farawynn enjoyed her final treat of their five year arrangement. The honey and cream lifted the fairy’s spirits, and by the time the fae departed, the two were bantering cordially. Mikhi crept back onto the homestead quietly. It was afternoon, so everyone should be fast asleep. As she approached, she could hear voices coming from behind the matriarch’s house. It seemed very strange that her grandmother would be out and about in the middle of the day, so Mikhi moved to the side of the matriarch’s cabin to investigate. She could hear the Matriarch speaking to someone. “Thank ya for these pelts,” said the old woman. “With the roads openin’ for spring and summer, I should be able to make boots out of these and trade ‘em for amenities. I don’t suppose ya need new shoes?” Mikhi froze when she heard a familiar voice that she hadn’t heard for over ten years. “It’s alright, Grandma. The boots you gave me last fall have at least another year’s worth of tread in them.” Mikhi stumbled around the corner, staring in shock at the visitor. “Grendar’a?!” The two turned in surprise to see Mikhi standing at the corner of the cabin. The Matriarch shook her head, but the young male Miqo’te looked pleasantly surprised. “Hi, sis,” he said as his mouth formed a smile. “Grendar’a!” Mikhi exclaimed again, rushing forward to embrace him with tears forming in her eyes. For a moment they held each other, then he placed his hands on her shoulders and held her at arm’s length to look her over while Mikhi wiped the tears from her eyes. “You’ve certainly grown, Mikhi,” he finally said. “Are you still the princess of mischief?” Mikhi frowned and began slapping Grendar’a on the shoulder. “Why haven’t you come back to visit?” Grendar’a looked as if he’d been punched in the gut. “I wanted to sis, I really did. But mother told me never to come back.” “Grendar’s too hot-headed for her own good,” scolded the Matriarch as she wagged a finger at no one in particular. “But I can tell ya this much, she misses ya, boy.” Grendar’a sighed. “If it makes you feel any better, I’ve come back twice a year with pelts and extra goods. Grandma’s kept me up on everything that’s been happening.” Mikhi stared her brother defiantly in the face. “I’m going with you when you leave today.” Grendar’a gaped at Mikhi, while their grandmother continued to shake her head. “Grendar’s gonna throw a fit,” said the Matriarch. Grendar’a nodded. “Are you sure this is a good idea Mikhi?” Mikhi stood unwavering. “I’ve lived under her thumb in this hollow for eighteen years now. I want to see the world! Uncle Ori’to’s brought me books, and I know there’s more to life than a log cabin in the woods. Please, take me with you!” Grendar’a frowned. “I can’t stop you if you want to leave, but you can’t just sneak off like that. She deserves to know, whether it leads to a fight or not.” Mikhi’s resolve wavered for a moment as she considered the confrontation. “If you just up and leave without a word, you’ll end up the same as me, with no home to return to.” Grendar’a couldn’t meet Mikhi’s eyes as he pronounced his warning. Mikhi took a deep breath. “Then I’ll tell her, but she can’t keep me here any longer. I’ve made up my mind.” A smile grew on Grendar’a’s face even as a tear ran down one of his cheeks. He embraced his sister again. “We’ll travel the roads together, then. Damn it’s good to see you again, sis!” Mikhi tried to suppress a sniffle as she returned his embrace. “Ya’d best wait for nightfall then,” grunted the Matriarch. “Grendar’ll be angry enough about the news without ya waking her up in the middle of the day too.” Mikhi awoke to a gentle shake from Grendar’a’s hand on her shoulder. She sat up slowly, feeling a little bit stiff from where she’d fallen asleep on her grandmother’s couch. “It’s time,” was all he said as he waited for her by the door. Mikhi walked outside to see that the last rays of sunlight were fading from the clouds far overhead. She walked to her own home with Grendar’a staying behind. She opened the door and walked in to find Rhassal and Aylee prepping the main room for breakfast. “There ya are,” said Rhassal as Mikhi entered. “We need ya to gather some wood for the stove.” Mikhi ignored her sister, moving to where her cot still sat on the floor. She pulled a knapsack off a hook on the wall and began packing her belongings inside. She grabbed a couple changes of clothes, several books, and a small tin box, placing them neatly inside and buckling the knapsack closed. When she turned, her sisters were staring at her. Just then, the door to Grendar’s room opened. Grendar walked out and stared at Mikhi as the girl threw the knapsack over her shoulder. “What’s this then? Another of your little rebellions?” “It’s not a rebellion, Momma,” said Mikhi, her voice steady. “I’m eighteen, and it’s time I set off on my own.” Grendar laughed, but it was a hollow sound. “Do ya honestly think ya can take care of yerself out there, Mikhi? Those books ya been readin’ are fairy tales. The real world’s harsh and terrible. The safest place for ya is right here. Who’s gonna look out for ya out there? No one out there cares about ya.” Mikhi hesitated and glanced out the door. “There’s a couple who care about me out there.” Grendar snorted. “Who? Yer uncles? Ya could wander for ten years and never see a one of ‘em.” “I’ve made up my mind, Momma,” Mikhi protested. “I’m resolved to this path. Please don’t make this harder than it has to be.” Grendar growled and her nostrils flared. “So that’s how it’s gonna be, is it? Finally worked up the courage, did ya? I’ll tell ya exactly what I told yer brother. If you step through that door, don’t bother-“ “Mother!” Grendar’a’s voice pierced the woman like a spear. Grendar turned in astonishment to see her son standing in the doorway. For a moment, she stared. Then her rage came back in full force. “You!” she exclaimed, pointing a finger at Grendar’a. “You talked her into this, didn’t ya!” Grendar’a met his mother’s gaze and shook his head slowly. “Mikhi made this decision years ago. You know that, and you’ve been fighting it for too long. Don’t make the same mistake twice.” Grendar glared at her son then at Mikhi. She didn’t look at Grendar’a as he stepped in next to her, just breathed in short, raspy, pained breaths. He moved to wrap his arms around her. She growled in protest, but didn’t move away as he embraced her. “We’re leaving because of who we are, not because of you.” Grendar’s raspy breaths turned to shallow sobs. Mikhi walked forward, wrapping her arms around both her mother and brother. Mikhi whispered into her mother’s ear. “I love you, Momma, but this is something I have to do.” Grendar’s legs gave out, and the two helped her to a chair at the table. All four children watched in silence as their mother cried, one elbow leaning against the table and a hand shielding her eyes. After a few minutes, Mikhi placed a hand on Grendar’s shoulder. “Goodbye, Momma. It’s time for me to go.” For a moment Mikhi stood there with her hand on her mother’s shoulder as Grendar fought to control her sobs. When the sobbing stopped, they all stood in silence. Mikhi looked to Grendar’a. He nodded his head towards the door and stepped outside. Mikhi removed her hand, but Grendar continued to lean against the table and stare at the floor. Mikhi nodded to each of her sisters who watched in stunned silence as Mikhi turned to leave. As Mikhi stepped to the door, Grendar finally spoke. “Mikhi. Don’t....” Mikhi turned to look back at her mother. Grendar continued to stare at the floor. “Don’t... Don’t forget about us. Come back and visit... from time to time.” “I will, Momma!” Tears began to well up in Mikhi’s eyes. With a whisper, she added “Thank you.” Stepping outside, Mikhi found Grendar’a silently wiping tears from his eyes, out of view from the women inside. With one hand she wiped away her own tears, grasping his free hand with the other. Grendar’a smiled and looked at her as she dragged him towards the footpath out of the clearing. “Come on, big brother. You’ve got a lot to teach me.” I'm a tinker!  Tinkerer?  Hrm....  I'm an artificer!  - Myxie Tryxle | Impressions and Memories

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Impressions and Memories - Myxie Tryxle - by Myxie Tryxle - 07-28-2013, 02:46 AM RE: Impressions and Memories - Myxie Tryxle - by Myxie Tryxle - 08-02-2013, 03:06 AM RE: Impressions and Memories - Myxie Tryxle - by Myxie Tryxle - 08-16-2013, 02:00 AM

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