username;
kalon name;
movie soundtrack you used (link or title);
inspired story;
you sail your own course; the stars cant do that, can they? wrote:The stars could tell you everything; that was what Estelle had been told again and again since the moment she opened her eyes.
The stars, thousands and thousands of them, littered the sky like christmas lights, twinkling brightly amongst the dark blanket of night. They aided navigators, created glittering constellations, predicted the future, and could even told parents what their child would be like.
..So they said, anyway. She wasnt so sure she believed it.
And that was why she was currently hiding behind a rock that just happened to be near the same cliff her mother was lounging on. (she wasnt spying, no way!) At the moment, she was furiously debating if she should ask her mother about the stars. She was mighty curious if the legends about the stars were actually true, and yet, she couldnt bring herself to dare ask.
Because what if this was like, upsetting some kind of tradition? What if she was betraying some higher power and cursing her family line by questioning the true power of the stars? What if this was crossing a cultural line she shouldnt dare cross, little alone think even within the confines of her mind? She just had no idea, and she was much too afraid to risk the stability of her life all for a simple question. and yet, she was still so curious--
"You know, it's not very nice to spy on people." A voice rang out, causing Estelle to jump. She immediately began frantically looking around for the owner of the voice. Just as she turned around, she bumped smack into.. her mother's chest. oh no. oh no no no.
"Oh-oh hi! Mom! Mom. Hi.." She stuttered out, ears pinned back and a nervous expression on her face. Was she in trouble? No, of course she wasnt! But what if she was? Oooh, she had to stop thinking so hard about this! she was just getting herself worked up with this back and fourth nonsense.
"What are you doing up so late?" Estelle shrunk at that, and winced at the suspicious glance from her mother. Oh boy, she was in for it now..
"Just. Just.." She gave a quick glance around, looking for an explanation in her surroundings. She zeroed in on the sea just off the coast and turned back to her mother. "..Admiring the ocean!.. Y'know. There's a real nice breeze tonight." She grinned loosely, hoping her excuse would suffice.
"I see.." Another suspicious glance was cast her way, and she couldnt help but shrink further in on herself. Was she mad? Was she upset? She couldnt tell; she needed some clues here! "And how was it? Have a good time?" Reyna smiled towards her, and Estelle let out a visible sigh of relief. So.. She wasnt mad. Ok. This was fine. No, this was great. She wasnt mad. She had the situation totally Under Control.
"Y-Yeah. Yeah. It was.. Good. Good times." She replied, hoping she didnt sound as strained and awkward as she felt. Based on her mother's expression though, she was totally just messing with her at this point.
"So.." Reyna trailed off. Estelle swallowed around the thick lump in her throat, hoping she wouldnt ask. "What has your mind up in the clouds? or am I mistaken?"
Of course she would.
"I-" Estelle choked on her words, unsure of what to say. Ok, her mother was definitely aware something was up now; this only confirmed it.
After an encouraging nudge from Reyna, Estelle finally gave in, body going slack as she resigned to her fate. She just hoped this wouldnt get her in trouble or anything.
"Okay, okay. I was, y'know, wondering if.." She started, but quickly found her tongue felt heavy in her mouth. Ooooh golly, how was she supposed to explain this to her mother?
"Yes?" Reyna prompted, an edge of concern to her voice. She started to feel a little guilty for making such a big deal about this, but could one really blame her? She had no idea of the response she would get for the things she was thinking.
"If. If the things about the stars are real. All those-those stories and legends and-all of it. Is it-is it real?" She finally got out, nervously shuffling her paws and lowering her eyes to the dirt. This was a bad idea, she just knew it.
She wasnt quite sure what she expected, but she definitely didnt expect the hearty chuckle that came from her mother. Glancing up quickly, her concern melted into confusion as she watched her mother laugh near 'til she cried, if the tiny drops at the corners of her eyes were anything to go by.
"Uh, did i say something wrong?" She asked tentatively. Reyna stopped laughing, devolving into quiet wheezing while she struggled to get her breath back. When she was finally coherent, she turned to Estelle with a grin.
"Oh honey, what made you worry so much about the stars? Did one of those birds start telling you stories again?" She asked gently, voice soft and giving Estelle a sense of safety and comfort. It relaxed her significantly, and she felt the looming pressure of anxiety and something, something dark and scary and unwanted, ease off significantly.
"No, no! No. I just. Everyone always says," She swallowed for the second time that night, trying to form her thoughts into words and finding it to be quite a struggle. ""She's special," they say, "She's special and one day she'll be someone great." but im not. Im just. Im me, Im not anyone special!" She shouted, frustration and annoyance clear in her tone.
For a few brief moments, it feels like time itself has stopped, not even the wind or the waves below making a noise, but then all of the sudden it comes rushing back, and Reyna was nudging her closer to huddle into her side.
"Mom?-" She squeaked, but she was cut off before she could get the rest of her question out.
"Hush. Now listen to me, alright?" Reyna said sternly, though her voice still held the soft, comforting undertone to it. Estelle obeyed quietly, waiting for her mother to continue. "You, my dearest daughter, are whoever you want to be, and no bright, shining star in the sky, no matter how important, can decide that for you."
She followed her mother's gaze as she looked up, a look of confusion on her face. "These? Quite beautiful, oh yes, definitely, but that is all, darling. That is all they are. You are who you want to be, not what others want you to be. If you want to be the most ruthless pirate this side of the sea, then that is who you will be. If you want to be a swimmer, or a dancer, or a singer, or whatever you may decide, then that is who you will be, and no one, not even me or the stars, can decide that for you. You're special because you're you, and there's no other way I'd want you to be my love."
Estelle nodded, hiding her face in her mother's chest fur, ears pinned back not out of embarrassment, but because she was so so happy she understood, she understood and her mom wasnt mad at her and she's not a disappointment, and she loves her mom so so much she cant possibly describe it in any measurement she currently knew.
She is so glad her mom understands, and her questions have definitely been answered.
...
Your name is Estelle. You live on an island with your mom and the locals 365 days a year, and you are not special in any traditional sense. You are not a child of prophecy, there's nothing that sets you apart from the rest, and you have no special powers or abilities, but that's okay. You're you, and that's all you'd ever want to be.
Oh, and one last thing: you have the best mom ever.
links wrote:
links wrote:
Users browsing this forum: Agent Shark and 35 guests