Secret Santa warm-up
I've been in this weird writing funk for a few months now, so I thought I'd try to get over it by trying a little ficlet for sm_monthly before I do my SS stuff. I combined one of the picture prompts (in September the theme was Images Only) with the scrap sketch of Princess Lady Serenity tvreflection drew in the process of fulfilling a request of mine. So here is the result!
Title: "Breaking Through the Facade"
Author: Catalinabella
Theme: Magical Doorway
Genre: Angst/ hint of romance
Version: Anime
Rating: PG
Feedback: Comments and criticisms are always welcomed
She was cold. Not the cold that derives from temperature, but another, more permeant kind. It was internal, something of her own making that she could not unmake. The realm of her dreams had always been good to her, creating a bubble of color and warmth. She knew no fear here, it was the one place where she could shed the different roles life commanded her to play: princess, soldier, daughter. She performed each with competence, even excellence. But she was only attempting to fill a mold, afraid that if she showed weakness her fragile world would crumble. A smile always graced her countenance, bright laughter intermingled with her speech; from a young age she had learned to hide her tears. Yet her smile no longer reached her eyes, her laugh was growing hollow. She could not act anymore. Her dreams, the only refuge she possessed, had betrayed her. The once lush, vibrant canvas of her imagination had dulled and faded into frigid emptiness. She looked around, claret eyes moistening as they took in the barren landscape. She floated listlessly, no pathway or escape apparent.
It was inevitable, her dreams had finally crossed with reality, collecting payment for the facade she had created. Salty liquid caressed her frozen cheeks as she traveled through the nothingness, realizing what she had been reduced to.
“You should take better care in what you wish for, Serenity-sama,” a high yet authoritative voice invaded the silence.
Surprised that someone else was present, Serenity wiped her eyes to see her longtime guardian and friend gazing sadly at her mistress. “Diana-chan, what do you mean by that? I didn’t wish for...”
“You are caught in a trap of your own devising, only you can set yourself free. But if you search, there might be someone here who can provide aid if you allow them to do so,” the small feline advised, then bowed her head and vanished before she could be questioned further.
The princess of Crystal Tokyo brought her knees up to her chest, trying to expel the cold from her body. Her form naked, she was vulnerable, weak, lost, everything she had fought against becoming. What could she do, her dreams were gone, useful as shards of broken glass. That image reminded her of a time long ago, when someone sacrificed their body and risked the well being of humankind to prevent one little girl’s mirror of dreams from being shattered . That she had single-handedly done that now...
“Gomenasai!” tears fell without restraint. Serenity emerged for her protective crouch and as she stood, witnessed some semblance of order filling out the blankness. Shapes began to form, turning into trees and skies, a soft carpet of grass and leaves massaged the balls of her feet. It was not the gay sunny place of old, but softer, quieter, with a gentle tranquillity about it. As she began to explore she came across the only object in the landscape made by the hands of man: a stone wall encased by a knitted cover of vines. Wondering what it was sealing, she made her way down the side of the wall until she found her destination in the form of a plain wooden door. Though unremarkable in appearance, something about the doorway drew her, and she inhaled sharply as she pushed it inwards.
“Okaerinasai, maiden. Welcome home.” And she finally felt warm.
Title: "Breaking Through the Facade"
Author: Catalinabella
Theme: Magical Doorway
Genre: Angst/ hint of romance
Version: Anime
Rating: PG
Feedback: Comments and criticisms are always welcomed
She was cold. Not the cold that derives from temperature, but another, more permeant kind. It was internal, something of her own making that she could not unmake. The realm of her dreams had always been good to her, creating a bubble of color and warmth. She knew no fear here, it was the one place where she could shed the different roles life commanded her to play: princess, soldier, daughter. She performed each with competence, even excellence. But she was only attempting to fill a mold, afraid that if she showed weakness her fragile world would crumble. A smile always graced her countenance, bright laughter intermingled with her speech; from a young age she had learned to hide her tears. Yet her smile no longer reached her eyes, her laugh was growing hollow. She could not act anymore. Her dreams, the only refuge she possessed, had betrayed her. The once lush, vibrant canvas of her imagination had dulled and faded into frigid emptiness. She looked around, claret eyes moistening as they took in the barren landscape. She floated listlessly, no pathway or escape apparent.
It was inevitable, her dreams had finally crossed with reality, collecting payment for the facade she had created. Salty liquid caressed her frozen cheeks as she traveled through the nothingness, realizing what she had been reduced to.
“You should take better care in what you wish for, Serenity-sama,” a high yet authoritative voice invaded the silence.
Surprised that someone else was present, Serenity wiped her eyes to see her longtime guardian and friend gazing sadly at her mistress. “Diana-chan, what do you mean by that? I didn’t wish for...”
“You are caught in a trap of your own devising, only you can set yourself free. But if you search, there might be someone here who can provide aid if you allow them to do so,” the small feline advised, then bowed her head and vanished before she could be questioned further.
The princess of Crystal Tokyo brought her knees up to her chest, trying to expel the cold from her body. Her form naked, she was vulnerable, weak, lost, everything she had fought against becoming. What could she do, her dreams were gone, useful as shards of broken glass. That image reminded her of a time long ago, when someone sacrificed their body and risked the well being of humankind to prevent one little girl’s mirror of dreams from being shattered . That she had single-handedly done that now...
“Gomenasai!” tears fell without restraint. Serenity emerged for her protective crouch and as she stood, witnessed some semblance of order filling out the blankness. Shapes began to form, turning into trees and skies, a soft carpet of grass and leaves massaged the balls of her feet. It was not the gay sunny place of old, but softer, quieter, with a gentle tranquillity about it. As she began to explore she came across the only object in the landscape made by the hands of man: a stone wall encased by a knitted cover of vines. Wondering what it was sealing, she made her way down the side of the wall until she found her destination in the form of a plain wooden door. Though unremarkable in appearance, something about the doorway drew her, and she inhaled sharply as she pushed it inwards.
“Okaerinasai, maiden. Welcome home.” And she finally felt warm.