Sunshine Challenge 6: Indigo
Aug. 4th, 2020 05:48 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
icecheetahFrom Sunshine Challenge 6
Prompt 6: Indigo
Indigo is a rich color that is associated with a variety of things including: magic, experience, truth, dignity, virtue, dreams, profanity, inferiority, imagination, luxury, wisdom, spirit, destiny, elegance, intuition.
The world is full of magic things,
patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper —W.B. Yeats
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Cinderella didn't even get to ask Selene anything. When she got back, there was a carriage waiting outside their house, the horses on it helping themselves to the grass on the road.
Selene ran out to Cinderella. "There you are! I was starting to worry you'd be late!"
"What?"
"I had promised I'd buy you clothes last night." Selene clasped Cinderella's hands. "And of course, you need to be there! It would be quite the disaster if I bought something that didn't fit you or suit your tastes."
"I have some money of my own now so there's no need..."
"Nonsense! You save your money for now, and allow me the pleasure of caring for your needs... though how did you get it?" Selene leaned closer and closer, her taking up more of the world Cinderella saw with every inch.
"Ah... there was a wolf..." Cinderella leaned back. "I scared it away." It wasn't the place to tell Selene exactly how. "Mbali paid me for protecting Thandi and said I could be her body guard."
"Oh!" Selene grinned. "You have a JOB!" Those all encompassing eyes of hers closed. "Well, I suppose now we absolutely MUST find you a trainer! If you plan to continue, of course." And then she opened her eyes and, looking away from Cinderella, frowned. "I must admit, I am somewhat envious. Thandi decided she hated me the moment she laid eyes on me... it's quite vexing." Locking her gaze on Cinderella again, Selene smiled, soft. "You do seem to have a natural charm to you."
Cinderella's cheeks burned. "I... uh... ." She stared at Selene, hard. Did her turn even the slightest bit red too? It... she couldn't tell if that blush was just how Selene's face was a moment ago. Only her eyes.
Selene let go. "Let's not leave the cart driver waiting." She, and her sheep, led the way.
The other village was larger, stonier, more... traditional. Impersonal, and similar to the city Cinderella had left. Mbali's village showed the soul of its people on every house. And already Cinderella ached for that different land. As she was led through its roads, she caught herself searching for familiar faces, feeling like those she left behind could be anywhere. They can't find me if I don't allow it.
Selene broke the thoughts. "Could you hold my hand? It's occurred to me that I could lose you if distraction strikes at the wrong moment... and you would not know how to find your way yet."
Silently, Cinderella took the hand, and held tight. Though Selene's grip was soft, it felt as if it could hold fast even if someone tried to tear Cinderella back to her life of servitude. If Selene was a Princess... maybe she could.
Before reaching... the tailor's?... Selene skidded to a stop outside a bookshop. "Oh! Do you mind if I check in here? An order of mine might have arrived."
"No."
"Thank you." Though Selene's composure was mildly excited, the hand that held Cinderella's had a slight tremble as she pulled her in. No time to even look at the shelves, she wove her way to the sale's desk.
The salesperson didn't even say anything, just looked at her, and presented a book. A heavy tome.
Selene let go. She grabbed the book with a delighted squeal.
Cinderella tried to get a glance at the book's cover. "Koo Chew-lah-een?"
"Cù Chulainn!" Selene spun with it to show Cinderella the full title. "And other Celtic tales! A translation."
Well, at least Cinderella got the first word right.
Selene flicked through the book. "I know very little about Celtic legends, so I thought I should learn. The world is filled with such interesting stories..." she snapped it shut. "Ah, but first we must find you your new clothes. And perhaps a trainer... if you do wish to become a guard."
"I... I don't really know yet."
"Well, if you are to protect Thandi, it would be wise to learn at least the basics of handling a sword." Selene swept past, leading out the door. "If you find its not to your taste... what else might you want to do?"
They were both out the door by the time Cinderella had her answer. "Not cooking... or cleaning." Not for anyone else. Not for a long time. "But that's all I know how to do... ."
"Then you will simply have to try until you find what suits!"
"Can I rea-"
"Ah! Here we are!" Selene waved at a tailor's. And they were.
Getting measured and everything was... an experience. By the time it was over, Cinderella had a new, soft, light, indigo dress. She couldn't feel the stitches, she barely felt the cloth over her skin unless she thought about it, then it was overwhelmingly soft.
More clothes would come. Selene had bought Cinderella so many clothes, more than they could make in a mere day.
On the way home, Selene had said: "Was that really your first time at a tailors? You seemed to handle it quite well."
Cinderella replied: "I was prepared for everything to be strange to me." And it was.
Selene was silent, but over the rest of the journey, Cinderella felt as if Selene's warmth get closer.
And Cinderella buried the questions Thandi had given her further in her heart. Not that night. If she asked and pushed Selene away... . She didn't dare finish the thought.
"Would you like to hear my favourite tales when we get home?"
We.
"Sure."
They didn't get into the stories right away. Food. Unpacking. Everything.
So when they sat next to each other, Selene opened the book, and the next thing Cinderella knew her own head was on Selene's shoulder, and Selene was far into the book... maybe it wasn't surprising.
Selene smirked. "How kind of you to join us." Her eyes were just filled with mirth. "Was I boring you?"
Cinderella jolted back. "S...sorry... I was tired I... ." Despite Selene's mirth, Cinderella's heart hammered. Fear. Run. It's a trick.
Selene leaned closer. "Sorry? Then... kiss me and I'll forgive you."
Cinderella froze.
For part of her, dozens of broken promises from her stepfamily took those words. For another... KISS?
That was something lovers did wasn't it? Were they really that close? With so many secrets and just a day or two knowing each other.
"Sorry!" Selene said, "We were just teasing!" She held up her hands as if in surrender. "You're forgiven. No! You do not need to be forgiven. It's no sin to be tired!"
It's no sin to be tired.
Cinderella began to sway. Like a wave. It was... a long day. Too long. Yes if she fell asleep listening to those stories... maybe she did need rest. So she stood. "Goodnight." And she left for her room.
The panic at being in a new place didn't last so long the next morning, and Cinderella took advantage of her new luxury of sleeping in. The luxury of the silken robes she now had to sleep in, Trying, anyway. Sleeping while the sun was still in the sky was difficult. Though she managed to slip some dreams in.
When she finally gave up on continued sleep, she saw a tray with breakfast just inside her door. Bread. A jar filled with jam. A crystalline glass filled with water. A note.
"I do hope you like these. One of our neighbours had made the jam just yesterday.
I must apologise again. I did not mean to overstep my bounds.
Sincerely,
Selene."
Her writing was quite... ethereal. Light. As if she somehow feared tearing the paper with her pen. It made Cinderella giggle. Even harming paper was too much. And yet... what Thandi had said.
With that thought, Cinderella felt that she couldn't ask about Selene being a Princess, or whether she did 'something bad' with her powers like Thandi said, and... .
Selene had never asked about where Cinderella's 'rat' went. She'd even gone out of her way to feed the 'creature'. Did she guess that the 'rat' was Cinderella's fairy godmother?
Cinderella ate her breakfast with a foreign sense of unease.
In her old dress, she looked for Selene in the fields. She saw sheep and Selene had said she was a shepherdess... and had one sheep who went everywhere with her. Possibly her fairy godparent. Possibly just a pet.
After meeting some other sheperdesses in the area, Cinderella finally ran to a human shape that turned out to be Selene, her hair tied but flowing in the wind.
"Selene!" Cinderella called out when it was clear.
Selene turned just as she caught up. Surprised. Then smiling. "What is it?"
"Why didn't you ask about my rat?"
...
"Did... was I supposed to ask?" Selene squinted. "I thought... uhh... ," she turned to the side, but there were no sheep to check on. "... why... it was none of my business!"
In hindsight, running to a woman in the middle of her work to ask her about a magic rat was actually quite weird.
"I mean," Selene continued, "I had noticed it'd gone missing, but I thought it was quite rude to ask about one's...," she cast her gaze all over, then leaned in almost conspiratorily close to Cinderella"... familiar. Or possibly fairy godparent."
Leaning back, Cinderella felt a blush creeping through her skin. "Ah... uh... yes."
"So do you forgive me?"
The blush remained, but Cinderella was silent, fully baffled. Eventually, "For...give?"
Selene covered her face, and stared at her own sleeve. "For... my impertinent suggestion last night!" And a greater blush raced through her skin. "I quite don't know what I was thinking! Ha..." she began to laugh.
It caught on.
"Yeah," Cinderella said between chuckles. "We only met... three days ago! I mean you're pretty but we don't... I don't..." Oh no she'd said Selene was pretty. Cinderella's blush flared. Did she WANT to... ?
"You are quite beautiful yourself. Your condition on arrival did not mar your natural charm." She reached out to Cinderella, and held her hand near Cinderella's cheek, but not even close enough for her warmth to spread, "And I had hoped that getting those clothes would allow all to see it." And she frowned. "But I see you are back in your old clothes."
"I... I didn't want to get the new ones dirty when I ran into the fields."
"I suppose that's fair. Though there are more casual clothes in there for running around in the fields in." Selene turned. "I suggest you go home and rest for the day. Feel free to read any of my books. For now, I must work. Farewell."
Back at the house, Cinderella did read. Like in a dream. Curled up by the smokeless fire that she'd called herself, drinking tea which she'd bought herself, in her light indigo dress because it was actually too warm to be reading by the fire, sunlight lighting the pages. Nothing would interrupt her. And she was certain that if she fell asleep, the fire would die down too. So she didn't even have to worry about that.
Eventually, though, she set down the book. The stories were filled with magic. With powers. And wishes.
Cinderella held out one hand, and called a flame to it. It didn't burn. It caressed her hands. It wouldn't burn anything she didn't want it to, and seemed to live on nothing. She called it along her dress, made it burn indigo to match, and held the fire in waves. She danced in her fire. It was beautiful. And it was completely under her control.
She tried to make it burn cold.
She couldn't.
But still she smiled. Even magical fire had its limits. Something about knowing that, knowing how far she could reach, learning that of herself when she was alone and safe, was comforting.
She put her fire out. Not even a singe nor the scent of smoke remained. Selene wouldn't ever know.
Cinderella stopped.
Did she have any right to ask Selene for her story when she felt like, if she was asked in return, she would hide her's? "I used my wish to burn down my step mother's mansion." Yes. Those words did not invite any more questions whatsoever. Certainly none that were uninvited. No chance that Selene might see Cinderella as a threat if she found out.
Cinderella could see Selene, shocked, demanding. "You burned down the house of the one who last took care of you? Get out!" Fearful, avoiding. Hiding. Judging every flame. "Please... don't come near me any more." Pretending to be fine as she waited for the moment to strike, or run. Judging. Resentful-
Cinderella grabbed the book again and tried to force her mind into the story.
She did not ask that night.
Nor the next... .
Not for a month. In which Selene was unaware of Cinderella dancing around the secrets she knew. In which Cinderella started to learn the basics of wielding a sword. In which she never again saw a wolf when walking with Thandi in the forest.
She never asked. Not until the world brought the question to her door.
Cinderella was cleaning her sword, the one that Selene had given her, when the knock came on Selene's door. She was wearing the lightly armoured clothes she now wore when walking in the forest, and sheathed her sword. Though only in training, she walked to the door as a warrior.
The messenger was regal, and regarded her with something of a sneer. "Is the Princess in?"
"No."
Clearly, the messenger expected more than that. The silence between them stretched for two long before they broke it. "Well, where is she?"
"Probably tending her sheep in the fields." It occurred then to Cinderella she should have asked which Princess they were referring to. Not that she knew any for definite but Selene and the women of the Builder family.
"TENDING HER...!" The messenger made a few frustrated noises that Cinderella didn't understand. "Listen. It's no business of yours, but if she returns," they took a breath, steeling themself, "please tell her that her father QUITE gets her point already, and her curse has rendered him quite ill."
"What?"
"Hmmph." They turned and walked off, muttering. Loud enough that if Cinderella spoke their language, she may have caught snatches of insults.
Thandi's words returned.
"...she already made a BAD wish and she let it STAY BAD!"
Selene had cursed her father? A King?
If that curse killed him... surely his soldiers would come. Calling for the witch that had killed him. They'd take her away, and with it the peace that lay in the village of witches.
Cinderella looked at her sword. Her duty was to protect Thandi. But more than that, protecting this place meant protecting herself.
And maybe Selene could return.
Cinderella ran to the fields, seeking Selene's story.
Prompt 6: Indigo
Indigo is a rich color that is associated with a variety of things including: magic, experience, truth, dignity, virtue, dreams, profanity, inferiority, imagination, luxury, wisdom, spirit, destiny, elegance, intuition.
The world is full of magic things,
patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper —W.B. Yeats
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Cinderella didn't even get to ask Selene anything. When she got back, there was a carriage waiting outside their house, the horses on it helping themselves to the grass on the road.
Selene ran out to Cinderella. "There you are! I was starting to worry you'd be late!"
"What?"
"I had promised I'd buy you clothes last night." Selene clasped Cinderella's hands. "And of course, you need to be there! It would be quite the disaster if I bought something that didn't fit you or suit your tastes."
"I have some money of my own now so there's no need..."
"Nonsense! You save your money for now, and allow me the pleasure of caring for your needs... though how did you get it?" Selene leaned closer and closer, her taking up more of the world Cinderella saw with every inch.
"Ah... there was a wolf..." Cinderella leaned back. "I scared it away." It wasn't the place to tell Selene exactly how. "Mbali paid me for protecting Thandi and said I could be her body guard."
"Oh!" Selene grinned. "You have a JOB!" Those all encompassing eyes of hers closed. "Well, I suppose now we absolutely MUST find you a trainer! If you plan to continue, of course." And then she opened her eyes and, looking away from Cinderella, frowned. "I must admit, I am somewhat envious. Thandi decided she hated me the moment she laid eyes on me... it's quite vexing." Locking her gaze on Cinderella again, Selene smiled, soft. "You do seem to have a natural charm to you."
Cinderella's cheeks burned. "I... uh... ." She stared at Selene, hard. Did her turn even the slightest bit red too? It... she couldn't tell if that blush was just how Selene's face was a moment ago. Only her eyes.
Selene let go. "Let's not leave the cart driver waiting." She, and her sheep, led the way.
The other village was larger, stonier, more... traditional. Impersonal, and similar to the city Cinderella had left. Mbali's village showed the soul of its people on every house. And already Cinderella ached for that different land. As she was led through its roads, she caught herself searching for familiar faces, feeling like those she left behind could be anywhere. They can't find me if I don't allow it.
Selene broke the thoughts. "Could you hold my hand? It's occurred to me that I could lose you if distraction strikes at the wrong moment... and you would not know how to find your way yet."
Silently, Cinderella took the hand, and held tight. Though Selene's grip was soft, it felt as if it could hold fast even if someone tried to tear Cinderella back to her life of servitude. If Selene was a Princess... maybe she could.
Before reaching... the tailor's?... Selene skidded to a stop outside a bookshop. "Oh! Do you mind if I check in here? An order of mine might have arrived."
"No."
"Thank you." Though Selene's composure was mildly excited, the hand that held Cinderella's had a slight tremble as she pulled her in. No time to even look at the shelves, she wove her way to the sale's desk.
The salesperson didn't even say anything, just looked at her, and presented a book. A heavy tome.
Selene let go. She grabbed the book with a delighted squeal.
Cinderella tried to get a glance at the book's cover. "Koo Chew-lah-een?"
"Cù Chulainn!" Selene spun with it to show Cinderella the full title. "And other Celtic tales! A translation."
Well, at least Cinderella got the first word right.
Selene flicked through the book. "I know very little about Celtic legends, so I thought I should learn. The world is filled with such interesting stories..." she snapped it shut. "Ah, but first we must find you your new clothes. And perhaps a trainer... if you do wish to become a guard."
"I... I don't really know yet."
"Well, if you are to protect Thandi, it would be wise to learn at least the basics of handling a sword." Selene swept past, leading out the door. "If you find its not to your taste... what else might you want to do?"
They were both out the door by the time Cinderella had her answer. "Not cooking... or cleaning." Not for anyone else. Not for a long time. "But that's all I know how to do... ."
"Then you will simply have to try until you find what suits!"
"Can I rea-"
"Ah! Here we are!" Selene waved at a tailor's. And they were.
Getting measured and everything was... an experience. By the time it was over, Cinderella had a new, soft, light, indigo dress. She couldn't feel the stitches, she barely felt the cloth over her skin unless she thought about it, then it was overwhelmingly soft.
More clothes would come. Selene had bought Cinderella so many clothes, more than they could make in a mere day.
On the way home, Selene had said: "Was that really your first time at a tailors? You seemed to handle it quite well."
Cinderella replied: "I was prepared for everything to be strange to me." And it was.
Selene was silent, but over the rest of the journey, Cinderella felt as if Selene's warmth get closer.
And Cinderella buried the questions Thandi had given her further in her heart. Not that night. If she asked and pushed Selene away... . She didn't dare finish the thought.
"Would you like to hear my favourite tales when we get home?"
We.
"Sure."
They didn't get into the stories right away. Food. Unpacking. Everything.
So when they sat next to each other, Selene opened the book, and the next thing Cinderella knew her own head was on Selene's shoulder, and Selene was far into the book... maybe it wasn't surprising.
Selene smirked. "How kind of you to join us." Her eyes were just filled with mirth. "Was I boring you?"
Cinderella jolted back. "S...sorry... I was tired I... ." Despite Selene's mirth, Cinderella's heart hammered. Fear. Run. It's a trick.
Selene leaned closer. "Sorry? Then... kiss me and I'll forgive you."
Cinderella froze.
For part of her, dozens of broken promises from her stepfamily took those words. For another... KISS?
That was something lovers did wasn't it? Were they really that close? With so many secrets and just a day or two knowing each other.
"Sorry!" Selene said, "We were just teasing!" She held up her hands as if in surrender. "You're forgiven. No! You do not need to be forgiven. It's no sin to be tired!"
It's no sin to be tired.
Cinderella began to sway. Like a wave. It was... a long day. Too long. Yes if she fell asleep listening to those stories... maybe she did need rest. So she stood. "Goodnight." And she left for her room.
The panic at being in a new place didn't last so long the next morning, and Cinderella took advantage of her new luxury of sleeping in. The luxury of the silken robes she now had to sleep in, Trying, anyway. Sleeping while the sun was still in the sky was difficult. Though she managed to slip some dreams in.
When she finally gave up on continued sleep, she saw a tray with breakfast just inside her door. Bread. A jar filled with jam. A crystalline glass filled with water. A note.
"I do hope you like these. One of our neighbours had made the jam just yesterday.
I must apologise again. I did not mean to overstep my bounds.
Sincerely,
Selene."
Her writing was quite... ethereal. Light. As if she somehow feared tearing the paper with her pen. It made Cinderella giggle. Even harming paper was too much. And yet... what Thandi had said.
With that thought, Cinderella felt that she couldn't ask about Selene being a Princess, or whether she did 'something bad' with her powers like Thandi said, and... .
Selene had never asked about where Cinderella's 'rat' went. She'd even gone out of her way to feed the 'creature'. Did she guess that the 'rat' was Cinderella's fairy godmother?
Cinderella ate her breakfast with a foreign sense of unease.
In her old dress, she looked for Selene in the fields. She saw sheep and Selene had said she was a shepherdess... and had one sheep who went everywhere with her. Possibly her fairy godparent. Possibly just a pet.
After meeting some other sheperdesses in the area, Cinderella finally ran to a human shape that turned out to be Selene, her hair tied but flowing in the wind.
"Selene!" Cinderella called out when it was clear.
Selene turned just as she caught up. Surprised. Then smiling. "What is it?"
"Why didn't you ask about my rat?"
...
"Did... was I supposed to ask?" Selene squinted. "I thought... uhh... ," she turned to the side, but there were no sheep to check on. "... why... it was none of my business!"
In hindsight, running to a woman in the middle of her work to ask her about a magic rat was actually quite weird.
"I mean," Selene continued, "I had noticed it'd gone missing, but I thought it was quite rude to ask about one's...," she cast her gaze all over, then leaned in almost conspiratorily close to Cinderella"... familiar. Or possibly fairy godparent."
Leaning back, Cinderella felt a blush creeping through her skin. "Ah... uh... yes."
"So do you forgive me?"
The blush remained, but Cinderella was silent, fully baffled. Eventually, "For...give?"
Selene covered her face, and stared at her own sleeve. "For... my impertinent suggestion last night!" And a greater blush raced through her skin. "I quite don't know what I was thinking! Ha..." she began to laugh.
It caught on.
"Yeah," Cinderella said between chuckles. "We only met... three days ago! I mean you're pretty but we don't... I don't..." Oh no she'd said Selene was pretty. Cinderella's blush flared. Did she WANT to... ?
"You are quite beautiful yourself. Your condition on arrival did not mar your natural charm." She reached out to Cinderella, and held her hand near Cinderella's cheek, but not even close enough for her warmth to spread, "And I had hoped that getting those clothes would allow all to see it." And she frowned. "But I see you are back in your old clothes."
"I... I didn't want to get the new ones dirty when I ran into the fields."
"I suppose that's fair. Though there are more casual clothes in there for running around in the fields in." Selene turned. "I suggest you go home and rest for the day. Feel free to read any of my books. For now, I must work. Farewell."
Back at the house, Cinderella did read. Like in a dream. Curled up by the smokeless fire that she'd called herself, drinking tea which she'd bought herself, in her light indigo dress because it was actually too warm to be reading by the fire, sunlight lighting the pages. Nothing would interrupt her. And she was certain that if she fell asleep, the fire would die down too. So she didn't even have to worry about that.
Eventually, though, she set down the book. The stories were filled with magic. With powers. And wishes.
Cinderella held out one hand, and called a flame to it. It didn't burn. It caressed her hands. It wouldn't burn anything she didn't want it to, and seemed to live on nothing. She called it along her dress, made it burn indigo to match, and held the fire in waves. She danced in her fire. It was beautiful. And it was completely under her control.
She tried to make it burn cold.
She couldn't.
But still she smiled. Even magical fire had its limits. Something about knowing that, knowing how far she could reach, learning that of herself when she was alone and safe, was comforting.
She put her fire out. Not even a singe nor the scent of smoke remained. Selene wouldn't ever know.
Cinderella stopped.
Did she have any right to ask Selene for her story when she felt like, if she was asked in return, she would hide her's? "I used my wish to burn down my step mother's mansion." Yes. Those words did not invite any more questions whatsoever. Certainly none that were uninvited. No chance that Selene might see Cinderella as a threat if she found out.
Cinderella could see Selene, shocked, demanding. "You burned down the house of the one who last took care of you? Get out!" Fearful, avoiding. Hiding. Judging every flame. "Please... don't come near me any more." Pretending to be fine as she waited for the moment to strike, or run. Judging. Resentful-
Cinderella grabbed the book again and tried to force her mind into the story.
She did not ask that night.
Nor the next... .
Not for a month. In which Selene was unaware of Cinderella dancing around the secrets she knew. In which Cinderella started to learn the basics of wielding a sword. In which she never again saw a wolf when walking with Thandi in the forest.
She never asked. Not until the world brought the question to her door.
Cinderella was cleaning her sword, the one that Selene had given her, when the knock came on Selene's door. She was wearing the lightly armoured clothes she now wore when walking in the forest, and sheathed her sword. Though only in training, she walked to the door as a warrior.
The messenger was regal, and regarded her with something of a sneer. "Is the Princess in?"
"No."
Clearly, the messenger expected more than that. The silence between them stretched for two long before they broke it. "Well, where is she?"
"Probably tending her sheep in the fields." It occurred then to Cinderella she should have asked which Princess they were referring to. Not that she knew any for definite but Selene and the women of the Builder family.
"TENDING HER...!" The messenger made a few frustrated noises that Cinderella didn't understand. "Listen. It's no business of yours, but if she returns," they took a breath, steeling themself, "please tell her that her father QUITE gets her point already, and her curse has rendered him quite ill."
"What?"
"Hmmph." They turned and walked off, muttering. Loud enough that if Cinderella spoke their language, she may have caught snatches of insults.
Thandi's words returned.
"...she already made a BAD wish and she let it STAY BAD!"
Selene had cursed her father? A King?
If that curse killed him... surely his soldiers would come. Calling for the witch that had killed him. They'd take her away, and with it the peace that lay in the village of witches.
Cinderella looked at her sword. Her duty was to protect Thandi. But more than that, protecting this place meant protecting herself.
And maybe Selene could return.
Cinderella ran to the fields, seeking Selene's story.
