(Untitled)

[lucky_coyote]

As night rolls on in the desert, the wind blows, shifting sand and cloud and stars. Sagegrass sways, creating a soft, hollow song, and the landscape slowly reshapes itself, in preparation for a new day.

And through these changes, through these renewals, Johnny Destiny sleeps.

Comments

[howling_laugh]

Not yet? There's not much worse than half a tank of fuel at the start of a long trip.

Maybe that distant, lonely coyote howl will help. The strands of sound spread across the sky like stars, flickering and twining together.

[lucky_coyote]

He looks up, hopefully, and knows, the moment he sees the trail of sound. Only she leaves music like comets across the sky.

Johnny's heard mortals say not to question the gods ... silly things. How, then, do they learn anything? Still, his own question is quiet, almost afraid.

"....Where are you?"

[howling_laugh]

Where do you think? It's not a voice that replies. It comes from the howl, the lapping of the water in his ears, the slight breeze, the light of the stars.

But it sounds grouchy, all the same.

I died.

[lucky_coyote]

"... I know," he says, softly, running a hand gently through the water. "I'm sorry."

[howling_laugh]

Hmmm. What do you blame yourself for? A coyote made of stars winks at him before blurring back into the more traditional constellations.

[lucky_coyote]

The wink earns a brief smile. "Well ... I'm more sorry that you had to die like that. Though, if I know you, you're probably glad you went out fighting. ... I don't really blame myself, so much as ... well ... I don't know. I worry, more than I feel to blame."

[howling_laugh]

There is little worse that could happen, a shifting patch of sage grass collapses, as if something lies there, watching him.

And even less, now. Should not I be the one who worries?

[lucky_coyote]

He raises his eyebrows, gives a knowing grin to nothing in particular, and everything, all at once. "But do you have to worry by yourself?"

[howling_laugh]

Perhaps not, the howl replies.

Run with me.

[lucky_coyote]

He blinks, shakes the water from his hair. ".... Here? Or ...?"

[howling_laugh]

I have nowhere else, yet. Soon.

The howl comes again, flicking in green and yellow and blue.

If this was a race, you would be losing.

[lucky_coyote]

Johnny jumps up out of the water, the spray rising from skin and falling to bead on fur, as his paws hit the ground.

Where are we running to?

[howling_laugh]

The end of the universe, of course.

The wind carries a scent, now. Sun-warmed fur, dusty and dry. Sweet grass and musk.

[lucky_coyote]

His paws scrabble on the sand, and he almost stops running.

Almost.

You want me to go back? ... Now?

[howling_laugh]

Do I usually tell you what to do?

The wind swirls again, this time bringing the faint scent of cigarette smoke.

[lucky_coyote]

Not directly. He regains his speed, kicking up clouds of sand, pink against the sky. ... But I'm always open to advice. I have a few things to do for people, but ... what should I do if your snow-woman comes looking for me, too? Can I protect the people I'm helping?