The first clue came from the missing food. It was easy to miss, because their visitor didn’t eat much, or quickly. Perhaps, during the course of a day, a berry or two and a single nut might go missing. Perhaps the sugar lid might be put back slightly askew, with a pattern raked into it … Continue reading Arriette
Tag: writing
A Face They Never Knew
Maybe it wasn’t a real betrayal, but it certainly felt like one at the time. I suppose, if I force myself to be accurate and I think about it from their side, I have to admit that it’s unlikely they intended to even hurt me, let alone inflict on me such feelings of hurt and … Continue reading A Face They Never Knew
Two Gods
This is how my grandfather began his story. “There was once, long ago, a war between two gods.” My sister Marin and I listened intently, because our grandfather always told good stories, sometimes about knights and princesses, sometimes about dwarfs and witches. We sat on the carpet in front of my grandfather’s recliner next to … Continue reading Two Gods
In My Hands
My grandfather’s sword looked far different in my hands than it had upon the wall, where it had hung for more years than I could count — for more years than I had been alive, in fact. I never knew my grandfather. He passed away before I was born. My grandmother always said it was … Continue reading In My Hands
Becoming, Part IX
I didn’t know which human to approach first, or even what proper protocol might be for approaching one of the humans. Instead, I began by walking straight down one of the paths that had been cut into the hillside. It wavered a bit from right to left as it travelled between the terraces, but at … Continue reading Becoming, Part IX
Niqa’s Longing
Niqa longed for home more frequently and with greater intensity than she desired anything else. She didn’t understand her longing, either, for even when she was within the walls of her house, curled in her bed, she found herself pining for home. It came as an ache in her chest, a tired, hollow feeling that … Continue reading Niqa’s Longing
Enneagram
I've written some about the Guardians of Lora on Aia. You can find those stories, and a few others that take place on Aia, through the Directory. My struggle on Aia has been in determining who the villain is, because I started with primarily a concept of who the "good guys" are. This is my first … Continue reading Enneagram
An Excerpt from Letters, or “After Her”
Tomás, By now you know that I have taken my own life. At least, I hope you know. It would be quite awkward if this letter arrived before I had a chance to carry out my intentions. I don’t foresee that happening, though. When I’m done with everything I want to write, I’m going to … Continue reading An Excerpt from Letters, or “After Her”
The Fair Way
“See, look. It’s really simple.” Vorin brandished his sealing blade to demonstrate. In front of him, the light spirit, the shape reminiscent of an elongated golden rabbit, struggled to rise from the ground. Vorin’s currently manifested spirit, a fire spirit that took the form of a fox-like being, held it down. “The blade does all … Continue reading The Fair Way
Glacier
The first time they touched, Darius was taken aback by the the frigid cold of Krystal’s skin. Touching her felt like making contact with a dry, fleshy ice cube. She had no warmth to her at all, which surprised Darius. From a distance, Krystal gave no hint at the cold within her: she was always … Continue reading Glacier
Daydreams 