Cast a Dark Shadow part 4
anonymous
March 9 2009, 08:24:37 UTC
But… General Winter always came, without fail, and it worried Canada to admit that somewhere along the line, he had stopped being afraid.
*
It was years later still when once again Canada came across that long-ago path deep in the woods. He was growing up fast now, and curiosity sang in his veins as the blond walked down the trail - the stillness of the cold no longer an ominous silhouette warding him away.
Canada stopped short, his breath catching. The General stood before him silently, in that same clearing.
He didn’t know why he was surprised to see him - General Winter was always there - but try as he might, his eyes kept straying past the man to where the path continued. Beyond him lay unknown territory.
“If you walk there, I will… most certainly… take your life.”
Canada’s head snapped up in surprise. It was the first time General Winter had ever spoken to him without prompt. It was the first time his words weren’t a threat, but a caution.
Light blue eyes looked back to the path beyond with trepidation stirring inside of him. The youth managed to curb his interest though, instead turning his gaze on the intimidating man. A slight smile appeared on Canada’s face. Really, in this sunshine, he wasn’t all that intimidating.
Canada bent in the long shadow of the General and picked up some of the soft, powdery snow from the clearing’s ground, tossing it up in the air. The sun cast the land into a shimmery glow.
“You must be in a good mood today.” Canada said gladly, watching the sparkling crystals.
General Winter’s cloak wafted lightly and the old man raised one bushy eyebrow beneath the lip of his military hat.
The action caused a drift of snow to jump and cover the growing nation like a living snow angel. Canada sputtered in shock and flailed, clumsily brushing off the snow. “Wha-wha-what?”
The second eyebrow rose at the youth’s incoherency and a larger dumping of snow landed on that blond head.
“Ack!” Canada squawked that time, and rolled around on the clearing floor without much grace.
When the youth finally sat up in embarrassment, Canada stared at General Winter, seeing something very much like amusement glittering in those dark eyes.
The youth pouted and slapped some snow in the old man’s direction. Just as quick, Canada gasped, a cringe overtaking his form as he waited for the cold hand of vengeance.
The touch that did follow was like the refreshing sprinkle of cool water on his heated face. Canada opened his eyes and rubbed at his nose and cheeks which had flushed with the cold. The nation tried but was unable to control a smile of delight. The fingers of winter were gentler than he could describe…
General Winter knelt before the growing nation and Canada watched in wonder as the man drew in a deep breath, exhaling in a steady stream, and an arch of icicles formed, like a sparkling doorway to heaven, in the middle of the empty clearing.
Canada inhaled softly, moving to examine the ice with quiet awe, watching his reflection play along the glossy surface. His friend could do something very much like real magic.
Canada froze suddenly. Friend…?
The youth looked to the side hesitantly and saw General Winter sitting there, watching him with those keen eyes, his shadow blue against the snowy ground.
‘You can’t fight winter.’ Canada remembered.
But what if you warmed to him? The youth’s heart constricted and it looked as if his icy reflection was already crying. What dangers did something like that promise?
“Go home now.” The deep voice rumbled.
The words startled Canada, and the young nation stared at the powerful man uncomprehendingly for a moment.
The General rose ethereally to his feet, piercing gaze now serious. “Go. It will be cold.”
As if to punctuate his point, the wind picked up sending Canada’s tawny hair blowing around his face. The adolescent didn’t need to be told twice, taking one more look at the General before he began running home.
*
It was years later still when once again Canada came across that long-ago path deep in the woods. He was growing up fast now, and curiosity sang in his veins as the blond walked down the trail - the stillness of the cold no longer an ominous silhouette warding him away.
Canada stopped short, his breath catching. The General stood before him silently, in that same clearing.
He didn’t know why he was surprised to see him - General Winter was always there - but try as he might, his eyes kept straying past the man to where the path continued. Beyond him lay unknown territory.
“If you walk there, I will… most certainly… take your life.”
Canada’s head snapped up in surprise. It was the first time General Winter had ever spoken to him without prompt. It was the first time his words weren’t a threat, but a caution.
Light blue eyes looked back to the path beyond with trepidation stirring inside of him. The youth managed to curb his interest though, instead turning his gaze on the intimidating man. A slight smile appeared on Canada’s face. Really, in this sunshine, he wasn’t all that intimidating.
Canada bent in the long shadow of the General and picked up some of the soft, powdery snow from the clearing’s ground, tossing it up in the air. The sun cast the land into a shimmery glow.
“You must be in a good mood today.” Canada said gladly, watching the sparkling crystals.
General Winter’s cloak wafted lightly and the old man raised one bushy eyebrow beneath the lip of his military hat.
The action caused a drift of snow to jump and cover the growing nation like a living snow angel. Canada sputtered in shock and flailed, clumsily brushing off the snow. “Wha-wha-what?”
The second eyebrow rose at the youth’s incoherency and a larger dumping of snow landed on that blond head.
“Ack!” Canada squawked that time, and rolled around on the clearing floor without much grace.
When the youth finally sat up in embarrassment, Canada stared at General Winter, seeing something very much like amusement glittering in those dark eyes.
The youth pouted and slapped some snow in the old man’s direction. Just as quick, Canada gasped, a cringe overtaking his form as he waited for the cold hand of vengeance.
The touch that did follow was like the refreshing sprinkle of cool water on his heated face. Canada opened his eyes and rubbed at his nose and cheeks which had flushed with the cold. The nation tried but was unable to control a smile of delight. The fingers of winter were gentler than he could describe…
General Winter knelt before the growing nation and Canada watched in wonder as the man drew in a deep breath, exhaling in a steady stream, and an arch of icicles formed, like a sparkling doorway to heaven, in the middle of the empty clearing.
Canada inhaled softly, moving to examine the ice with quiet awe, watching his reflection play along the glossy surface. His friend could do something very much like real magic.
Canada froze suddenly. Friend…?
The youth looked to the side hesitantly and saw General Winter sitting there, watching him with those keen eyes, his shadow blue against the snowy ground.
‘You can’t fight winter.’ Canada remembered.
But what if you warmed to him? The youth’s heart constricted and it looked as if his icy reflection was already crying. What dangers did something like that promise?
“Go home now.” The deep voice rumbled.
The words startled Canada, and the young nation stared at the powerful man uncomprehendingly for a moment.
The General rose ethereally to his feet, piercing gaze now serious. “Go. It will be cold.”
As if to punctuate his point, the wind picked up sending Canada’s tawny hair blowing around his face. The adolescent didn’t need to be told twice, taking one more look at the General before he began running home.
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