π«ππππππ ππΆπ
π€π’π³π³
A flutter of wings, a harsh screechβ¦
βAnthony? Are you still out here?β
I snap out of my daze at the tentative call, and only just notice the rain pattering against the awning above.
The forest in front of me is washed out by the fog of the storm, and the usually impressive, tangling expanse
of vines and trunks and roots looks ominous. I feel myself un-stick from the ground as I shift, and turn tired
eyes onto the approaching figure.
Jamilβs patterned body seems to ripple as he sits beside my prone form. He runs a paw through his frizzy hair,
and laughs sheepishly. βThis humidity, huh?β
My own hair merely sticks to my head, damp from the water clogging the air. My expression remains blank.
βI suppose.β
Jamil merely rolls his eyes at my lackluster response, but then his eyes track to my paws. I follow his gaze,
and one of my feathers rests in my palms. Huh, didnβt remember taking that out of my mane.
βYou know, youβve never actually told me why you have bird feathers in your hair all the time,β The nosy
boy leans down to take a closer look at the feather, and Iβm quick to flick his nose in reprimand. Jamil yelps.
βWhat was that for?β
βManners, Jamil. Nobody likes a nosy viscet.β
I look back into the fog as I distinctly hear the mocking utterance of my words from the dark-haired male
grumbled under his breath, but today, I canβt seem to muster the same amusement that I usually do from
messing with Jamil.
βBut you are rightβ¦ I never did tell you about my origins, considering how much Iβve already told you about me.β
I can practically sense how Jamil perks up at my words, and he smiles as he settles down even further next
to me. He lays his head on his paws and looks up at me with amusement. βOoh, neato, I always do love your
stories. But who knew that you were so ancient, though? I mean, I always thought you looked like you
had ten years added to your age whenever you scowl, but it turns out it was closer to ten hundred years-β
βJamil.β
βHah, sorry.β
βChrist, you just donβt shut up when you get going, do you?β
Long since unfazed by my caustic behavior, Jamilβs grin widens. βNah.β
I sigh.
I deliberately curl my tail around my bright flank, and like a signal Jamil becomes attentive. Even after all
these years, he still picked up on my unconscious storytelling habit, long before even I was aware of it.
But, I digress⦠Over the constant downpour around us, my words start weaving their way into the surrounding air.
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
Our tale starts with a male named Anthosai. Not a viscling, bear this in mind- his story unfolds long after
he matured into a creature worthy of envy and respect. By the start of our story, the male had lived for
centuries upon centuries- moments nestled against his motherβs chest and learning alongside older siblings
were but a blip in his mind.
He lived on a world unlike our own- the flora and fauna mimicked our Earthβs astonishing diversity, but
had a distinct fixation on color, vitality, longevity⦠and mated souls. All creatures residing upon it were
seen as direct descendents of the planet, children to the surrounding forces that granted such gifts.
Souls in these creatures were destined to find their fated half. Legends idealized the concept that finding
a soulmate was the ultimate goal in life- to reach an apex of perfection, above even the protected act of
creating a family and passing on your genes for the next generation to further the prosperity inherent in
the planet.
Once this viscling reached maturity, he found his soulmate- only the most beautiful, in his eyes. And
rightfully so- Anthosai himself was lauded for years for his bright, lovely coloration, and it fit that the one
destined for him, the one that would complete his heart, mind, and soul, would be just as striking as he.
And so, for both him and the other beings who held their breath for Anthosaiβs joining, he connected to his
soulmate spiritually. On that day, something settled within him.
But, Anthosai couldn't help but think it sunk like a river stone as well.
But why did it feel⦠odd, to join with his other half? Surely it was the most righteous thing he could do,
for both him and this glorious viscet?
And besides, it was expected of him as well... It occurred to no one that the pair weren't met for each
other. Any envious or jealous feelings must be set aside when fate intervenes.
And so, they lived out many years at each other's side. But oh, how it rankled.
Their blossoming love was shrouded in falsities. It was frowned upon for soulmates to withhold the truth
from each other, but this pair had no reservations in doing so. Anthosai kept quiet about his doubts, but
remained faithful to his beautiful mate. As was expected of him.
Their relationship was guilded to any on the outside looking in, but any feelings that Anthosai had towards
his pair became increasingly tense.
It wasnβt any wonder why- they were both selfish creatures, deified for years for their beauty. The give
and take relationship that all soulmates had to assimilate to was as foreign to them as never finding a
soulmate at all. The fact that they now had to change for each other was absurd.
The rising tension all came to a head with one terrible incident. For years their distaste for and distrust in
each other was blatant to both- despite being able to know so much about each other β Β location, emotion,
thoughts β Β both managed to withhold information for their own benefit. Anthosaiβs soulmate
would go so far as to accuse Anthosai of the blasphemous act of adultery, or desertion, or any other thing
heβs never doneβ Β
Well. It didnβt matter in the end. While Anthosai knew that his soulmate was constantly lying to him, the
truth was only revealed when it blew up in both their faces.
Satisfaction never defined their relationship- the difference between the two was that Anthosaiβs soulmate
decided that they would do something about it. Under the nose of Anthosai and anyone who idolized their
perfect relationship, Anthosaiβs soulmate took another lover. And the affair would have continued many
years more had the unfaithful viscet not been fickle.
The other viscet in the affair was a lovely female, no doubt, but had the misfortune of actually falling for
Anthosaiβs soulmate. A tale of false true love.
When the unfaithful partner got bored with the affair, the female was cast off like chaff. But, nothing
seemed out of the ordinary- Anthosaiβs soulmate was used to doing this whenever they got bored with a new
toy of theirs.
Perhaps that was why Anthosai and the partner to his own soul could never get along. After all,
Anthosaiβs soulmate could never cast out Anthosai himself whenever they became displeased.
But, the female would not be so easily slighted. She too had searched for millennia for her own soulmate,
but when she fell in love with Anthosaiβs soulmate, she turned to taboo tales of new pairs forming from
previous soulmate bonds. She planned for Anthosaiβs soulmate and her to join through magic that would break
the previous bond that stood in the way. But, her infatuation blinded her to her loveβs true nature.
The ground shook the day Anthosaiβs soulmate cast her aside. For retribution, she demanded the adultererβs
heart. To make up for the heart that was stolen.
The female set herself on a warpath. A powerful sorcerer in her own right, few angered her and lived to tell
the tale. And now, Anthosai was left in the crossfire.
Anthosai only found out as flames scorched the landscape, eating its way towards the pair.
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
Anthosai cursed his soulmate for their actions. No amount of platitudes could sway his outrage. There was
no love lost between the two, but Anthosai, selfish to a fault as well, hated his soulmateβ how dare
they decide that Anthosai wasnβt enough for them, not enough to prevent the tarnishing of their reputation?
In his anger, Anthosai did the unthinkable in order to save himself, to not die alongside his stupid
mateβ He broke the bond, and took the heart that they both shared as soulmates.
Such an act could spell immediate death for him, but Anthosai persisted. But, in the vain effort to not die
from the separation, he sacrificed the mind that two shared in the process. He would forever remain cut off
from the thriving energy of the planet- his mind, constantly abuzz with the energy around him, went silent
that day.
Such an act could never remain secret. Anthosaiβs soulmate broke many rules by committing adultery, but
Anthosai risked damning him and his soulmate to imminent deathβ willful homicide in the most solemn terms.
But, this deliberate split of mind and heart preserved the lives of both Anthosai and the adulterer, but now
he was left to the mercy of the other creatures on the planet. And they were out for blood.
The only thing that spared Anthosai from an immediate kill was the lingering love that the creatures had
for his memory and beauty. Not his actions, not his attitude⦠Just an impression of a deified viscet that fell
from favor.
The creatures who valued longevity still wished for his death and sided with his former soulmate- a small
price to pay for committing such a heinous act.
But, the planet itself had different plans. It could not forgive Anthosaiβs actions, but could not bear to see
Anthosai perish.
But, his ensuing trial made him wish that the planet took that final judgement- only when the creatures were
satisfied that he was beaten down was he finally banished from the world itself. He would never return again in
his lifetime.
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
βWhat does this have to do with how you landed on Earthβ Ow!β
βShut up, Jamil. Iβm getting there.β
βAlright, alright. Chillβ¦β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
The planet itself and all of the collective powers residing in the sphere forced him off the planet and onto a
new, young world unimaginable eons away.
His time between his banishment and landing on earth consisted of an experience he dare not think about.
An endless void... If there was any chance of this immortal viscet experiencing death, then this period of
endless time, left to the quiet echoes of his own thoughts, would be where he felt his existence erase.
Unwritten from space and time.
Until...
He crash landed.
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
Jamil continued to watch Anthony with bated breath, but the brightly colored male merely closed his eyes in
fatigue as he drifted off. The story never got easier to remember, nor tell. Anthony was done for today- he
didn't know what he'd do if he had to force himself to recount any more.
But, he could feel Jamil stir restlessly beside him. βWait, that's it?β
β...Youβll have to forgive me, Jamil. I don't particularly enjoy retelling this tale. Perhaps Iβll finish for you
at a later date.β
Anthony blinked open his eyes, and turned his gaze onto the younger soul. Jamilβs eyes were understanding
despite his percieved impatience, and with a faux nonchalant air, Jamil stood up. βWell, that's fine-- it is
getting late anyway, so Iβll just leave you to your brooding. Iβll hold you to that story, though.β
βAnd I wouldn't expect any different.β
And with that, Anthony returned to his quiet vigil.
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
Yet, after retelling his story, he couldn't quite fall asleep, even with the quiet lull of the rainstorm.
The forest became almost surreal as Anthony fell into a daze, and reflected on patches of memories that
inadvertently floated at the surface. Ones best left forgotten, lost to time itself.
His thoughts drifted.
π€π’π³π³
A flutter of wings, a harsh screechβ¦
βAnthony? Are you still out here?β
I snap out of my daze at the tentative call, and only just notice the rain pattering against the awning above.
The forest in front of me is washed out by the fog of the storm, and the usually impressive, tangling expanse
of vines and trunks and roots looks ominous. I feel myself un-stick from the ground as I shift, and turn tired
eyes onto the approaching figure.
Jamilβs patterned body seems to ripple as he sits beside my prone form. He runs a paw through his frizzy hair,
and laughs sheepishly. βThis humidity, huh?β
My own hair merely sticks to my head, damp from the water clogging the air. My expression remains blank.
βI suppose.β
Jamil merely rolls his eyes at my lackluster response, but then his eyes track to my paws. I follow his gaze,
and one of my feathers rests in my palms. Huh, didnβt remember taking that out of my mane.
βYou know, youβve never actually told me why you have bird feathers in your hair all the time,β The nosy
boy leans down to take a closer look at the feather, and Iβm quick to flick his nose in reprimand. Jamil yelps.
βWhat was that for?β
βManners, Jamil. Nobody likes a nosy viscet.β
I look back into the fog as I distinctly hear the mocking utterance of my words from the dark-haired male
grumbled under his breath, but today, I canβt seem to muster the same amusement that I usually do from
messing with Jamil.
βBut you are rightβ¦ I never did tell you about my origins, considering how much Iβve already told you about me.β
I can practically sense how Jamil perks up at my words, and he smiles as he settles down even further next
to me. He lays his head on his paws and looks up at me with amusement. βOoh, neato, I always do love your
stories. But who knew that you were so ancient, though? I mean, I always thought you looked like you
had ten years added to your age whenever you scowl, but it turns out it was closer to ten hundred years-β
βJamil.β
βHah, sorry.β
βChrist, you just donβt shut up when you get going, do you?β
Long since unfazed by my caustic behavior, Jamilβs grin widens. βNah.β
I sigh.
I deliberately curl my tail around my bright flank, and like a signal Jamil becomes attentive. Even after all
these years, he still picked up on my unconscious storytelling habit, long before even I was aware of it.
But, I digress⦠Over the constant downpour around us, my words start weaving their way into the surrounding air.
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
Our tale starts with a male named Anthosai. Not a viscling, bear this in mind- his story unfolds long after
he matured into a creature worthy of envy and respect. By the start of our story, the male had lived for
centuries upon centuries- moments nestled against his motherβs chest and learning alongside older siblings
were but a blip in his mind.
He lived on a world unlike our own- the flora and fauna mimicked our Earthβs astonishing diversity, but
had a distinct fixation on color, vitality, longevity⦠and mated souls. All creatures residing upon it were
seen as direct descendents of the planet, children to the surrounding forces that granted such gifts.
Souls in these creatures were destined to find their fated half. Legends idealized the concept that finding
a soulmate was the ultimate goal in life- to reach an apex of perfection, above even the protected act of
creating a family and passing on your genes for the next generation to further the prosperity inherent in
the planet.
Once this viscling reached maturity, he found his soulmate- only the most beautiful, in his eyes. And
rightfully so- Anthosai himself was lauded for years for his bright, lovely coloration, and it fit that the one
destined for him, the one that would complete his heart, mind, and soul, would be just as striking as he.
And so, for both him and the other beings who held their breath for Anthosaiβs joining, he connected to his
soulmate spiritually. On that day, something settled within him.
But, Anthosai couldn't help but think it sunk like a river stone as well.
But why did it feel⦠odd, to join with his other half? Surely it was the most righteous thing he could do,
for both him and this glorious viscet?
And besides, it was expected of him as well... It occurred to no one that the pair weren't met for each
other. Any envious or jealous feelings must be set aside when fate intervenes.
And so, they lived out many years at each other's side. But oh, how it rankled.
Their blossoming love was shrouded in falsities. It was frowned upon for soulmates to withhold the truth
from each other, but this pair had no reservations in doing so. Anthosai kept quiet about his doubts, but
remained faithful to his beautiful mate. As was expected of him.
Their relationship was guilded to any on the outside looking in, but any feelings that Anthosai had towards
his pair became increasingly tense.
It wasnβt any wonder why- they were both selfish creatures, deified for years for their beauty. The give
and take relationship that all soulmates had to assimilate to was as foreign to them as never finding a
soulmate at all. The fact that they now had to change for each other was absurd.
The rising tension all came to a head with one terrible incident. For years their distaste for and distrust in
each other was blatant to both- despite being able to know so much about each other β Β location, emotion,
thoughts β Β both managed to withhold information for their own benefit. Anthosaiβs soulmate
would go so far as to accuse Anthosai of the blasphemous act of adultery, or desertion, or any other thing
heβs never doneβ Β
Well. It didnβt matter in the end. While Anthosai knew that his soulmate was constantly lying to him, the
truth was only revealed when it blew up in both their faces.
Satisfaction never defined their relationship- the difference between the two was that Anthosaiβs soulmate
decided that they would do something about it. Under the nose of Anthosai and anyone who idolized their
perfect relationship, Anthosaiβs soulmate took another lover. And the affair would have continued many
years more had the unfaithful viscet not been fickle.
The other viscet in the affair was a lovely female, no doubt, but had the misfortune of actually falling for
Anthosaiβs soulmate. A tale of false true love.
When the unfaithful partner got bored with the affair, the female was cast off like chaff. But, nothing
seemed out of the ordinary- Anthosaiβs soulmate was used to doing this whenever they got bored with a new
toy of theirs.
Perhaps that was why Anthosai and the partner to his own soul could never get along. After all,
Anthosaiβs soulmate could never cast out Anthosai himself whenever they became displeased.
But, the female would not be so easily slighted. She too had searched for millennia for her own soulmate,
but when she fell in love with Anthosaiβs soulmate, she turned to taboo tales of new pairs forming from
previous soulmate bonds. She planned for Anthosaiβs soulmate and her to join through magic that would break
the previous bond that stood in the way. But, her infatuation blinded her to her loveβs true nature.
The ground shook the day Anthosaiβs soulmate cast her aside. For retribution, she demanded the adultererβs
heart. To make up for the heart that was stolen.
The female set herself on a warpath. A powerful sorcerer in her own right, few angered her and lived to tell
the tale. And now, Anthosai was left in the crossfire.
Anthosai only found out as flames scorched the landscape, eating its way towards the pair.
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
Anthosai cursed his soulmate for their actions. No amount of platitudes could sway his outrage. There was
no love lost between the two, but Anthosai, selfish to a fault as well, hated his soulmateβ how dare
they decide that Anthosai wasnβt enough for them, not enough to prevent the tarnishing of their reputation?
In his anger, Anthosai did the unthinkable in order to save himself, to not die alongside his stupid
mateβ He broke the bond, and took the heart that they both shared as soulmates.
Such an act could spell immediate death for him, but Anthosai persisted. But, in the vain effort to not die
from the separation, he sacrificed the mind that two shared in the process. He would forever remain cut off
from the thriving energy of the planet- his mind, constantly abuzz with the energy around him, went silent
that day.
Such an act could never remain secret. Anthosaiβs soulmate broke many rules by committing adultery, but
Anthosai risked damning him and his soulmate to imminent deathβ willful homicide in the most solemn terms.
But, this deliberate split of mind and heart preserved the lives of both Anthosai and the adulterer, but now
he was left to the mercy of the other creatures on the planet. And they were out for blood.
The only thing that spared Anthosai from an immediate kill was the lingering love that the creatures had
for his memory and beauty. Not his actions, not his attitude⦠Just an impression of a deified viscet that fell
from favor.
The creatures who valued longevity still wished for his death and sided with his former soulmate- a small
price to pay for committing such a heinous act.
But, the planet itself had different plans. It could not forgive Anthosaiβs actions, but could not bear to see
Anthosai perish.
But, his ensuing trial made him wish that the planet took that final judgement- only when the creatures were
satisfied that he was beaten down was he finally banished from the world itself. He would never return again in
his lifetime.
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
βWhat does this have to do with how you landed on Earthβ Ow!β
βShut up, Jamil. Iβm getting there.β
βAlright, alright. Chillβ¦β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
The planet itself and all of the collective powers residing in the sphere forced him off the planet and onto a
new, young world unimaginable eons away.
His time between his banishment and landing on earth consisted of an experience he dare not think about.
An endless void... If there was any chance of this immortal viscet experiencing death, then this period of
endless time, left to the quiet echoes of his own thoughts, would be where he felt his existence erase.
Unwritten from space and time.
Until...
He crash landed.
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
Jamil continued to watch Anthony with bated breath, but the brightly colored male merely closed his eyes in
fatigue as he drifted off. The story never got easier to remember, nor tell. Anthony was done for today- he
didn't know what he'd do if he had to force himself to recount any more.
But, he could feel Jamil stir restlessly beside him. βWait, that's it?β
β...Youβll have to forgive me, Jamil. I don't particularly enjoy retelling this tale. Perhaps Iβll finish for you
at a later date.β
Anthony blinked open his eyes, and turned his gaze onto the younger soul. Jamilβs eyes were understanding
despite his percieved impatience, and with a faux nonchalant air, Jamil stood up. βWell, that's fine-- it is
getting late anyway, so Iβll just leave you to your brooding. Iβll hold you to that story, though.β
βAnd I wouldn't expect any different.β
And with that, Anthony returned to his quiet vigil.
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
Yet, after retelling his story, he couldn't quite fall asleep, even with the quiet lull of the rainstorm.
The forest became almost surreal as Anthony fell into a daze, and reflected on patches of memories that
inadvertently floated at the surface. Ones best left forgotten, lost to time itself.
His thoughts drifted.
