He scooped her up, being careful with her bruised and scratched
wings, and laid her out on the sofa. As he rummaged around in his box of
medicine, he shot a look at the clock. It was only 1:00 A.M. Plenty of time
left in the night. Plenty of time for her to heal before she had to return.
“Hello, magus,” she whispered
“Hello yourself,” he said bringing the supplies he needed
over to her. “It’s been awhile.”
“Has it?” Her smile only showed flashes of a grimace now and
then as he worked. “Your magic is strong as always.”
Nestor grunted. He didn’t know why basic first aid worked on
her like magic any more than he knew why some nights she fell into his world
only to disappear at dawn.
“So serious tonight,” she responded. “It’s not as bad as it
looks. Especially with you here to help me.”
“Why do I only see you now when you are in pain? Why won’t
you talk to me?” he said slamming the lid of the first aid box.
Her smile fled. “I am at war, magus. There are those who
will keep hunting me for these,” she motioned to her draconic wings. “I thought
you said you understood.”
Nestor remembered the first time he saw her. She was
beautiful, like something out of a legend. He had a hard time thinking of her
as cursed or flawed no matter how many times she explained the troubles in her
world. Even though on one level he understood all too well.
“I’m sorry. I just miss how we used to talk—before things
got worse for you. I know it’s selfish,” he said.
“Maybe I feel selfish, expecting you to always heal me.
Maybe I feel selfish asking for more.”
Nestor looked out his window. “Dawn is hours away. Neither
of us is going anywhere right now. If you want to talk, I’ll listen.”
Ada breathed deep, then spoke.
 |
| Photo by Gustavo Ardon on Unsplash |
Song Choice: Dusk Til Dawn by Zayn featuring Sia
This flash fiction was created for the prompt given at today's Weekly Scribblings at Poets and Storytellers United, By Means of Music.
Wow, Nestor is quite a caring sort; Nice Episode.
ReplyDeleteHappy Wednesday Rommy
MUCH❧✿❧LOVE
I hope your Wednesday was good too
DeleteLovely, Rommy!
ReplyDeleteThanks Debra
DeleteI have been in this place ... 'maybe I feel selfish, expecting you to always heal me.' You are a talented writer.
ReplyDeleteAw, that's sweet of you to say. Thank you.
DeleteThis is absolutely riveting, Rommy!💘 I love where the song took you and especially resonate with; "He had a hard time thinking of her as cursed or flawed no matter how many times she explained the troubles in her world." Thank you so much for writing to the prompt!😘😘
ReplyDeleteYou are quite welcome :)
DeleteWord-spun magic!
ReplyDeleteThanks Bev
DeleteI love a good story, but even more, I have great respect for a writer who lets me stand in the corner of a room whilst eavesdropping on a conversation and feeing what the characters feel. Bravo! (Is this part of a book? series?)
ReplyDeleteIt isn't...lol, at least not yet. I came up with it after listening to Sanaa's playlist and the scene suggested itself in my brain after listening to the song.
Delete...like a true writer! I enjoyed it :)
DeleteThis is so beautifully written Rommy, as the reader getting to end thinks "I want more, where can I find the serial or book?"
ReplyDeleteThis was meant to be a simple one off, but there might be something fun to play around with here.
DeleteWhat a fascinating tale! I too want more.
ReplyDeleteAw! LOL, I'm surprised but delighted at the positive response.
DeleteThe title says it all, Rommy, loyalty means everything. Ada is lucky to have Nestor. I love the way he ‘scooped her up, being careful with her bruised and scratched wings’. And how awful that she’s being hunted for her wings. More please!
ReplyDeleteThanks, I'm so glad people seem to really like this bit.
DeleteI wish I knew what Ada was going to say. I wish I knew who she is, why she has wings, who wants her wings and is Magus a magician? Or perhaps, the whole story is a metaphor? Sure kept me reading!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it!
DeleteYou captured me with your words and I am enthralled.
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda
DeleteI love this!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you did!
DeleteYes, I love the story, love your writing. I'm looking forward to the next one. "Nestor grunted. He didn’t know why basic first aid worked on her like magic any more than he knew why some nights she fell into his world only to disappear at dawn." Nestor doesn't know the why of her appearances, but they are welcome.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the kind words
DeleteThis is a very difficult relationship. Mostly, because it is obvious that Nestor truly cares for Ada and she also cares for his opinion. Still, that doesn't make the relationship any easier. It doesn't matter how much he tries to understand her feelings about herself and about how others treat her, he'll never be able to--not when he isn't the one with the wings. But... I so love that she is talking. Because that is the beginning of shedding some light on the issue. And if they are both very lucky, it is also the start of understanding why it is okay not to fully understand what it means to be the other, as long as they are there for one another.
ReplyDeleteVery true. Whether this is an unbreachable gulf in their case remains to be seen. But they both have agreed to talk and listen, and that is an extremely hopeful thing. :)
DeleteWould love to hear what Ada has to say. What a wonderful story I got hooked straight away and I love creatures with wings. Hope this will be continued
ReplyDeleteI am so thrilled at the positive reception this story is getting. Thanks!
DeleteUplifting - that relationship.
ReplyDeleteThere's always hope when people communicate
DeleteYou speak here of so many relationships. Minus the wings, of course. Great words.
ReplyDeleteTrue. There are a lot of real world relationship parallels
DeleteCompelling story--I found myself holding my breath at the end, waiting for her story.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you enjoyed it!
DeleteThe gift of listening to another is one of the most precious gifts we can give.
ReplyDeleteIt really is
DeleteHappy Sunday Rommy
ReplyDeleteMuch💖love
Hope your Sunday was good too
DeleteWhat an exciting piece here...buidling up momentum for the next part next week? sometimes i wish i had wings hehe. this is a beginning of a book i'd love to read right now.
ReplyDeleteThat is so sweet of you to say!
DeleteThe story reads like an excerpt from a fantasy novel. It got me wondering about their relationship, who they were, and why they meet like this. An Intriguing and enjoyable read.
ReplyDeleteI have a lot of fun playing around with fantasy short stories. I'm glad others had fun reading them.
DeleteYou hooked me from the first sentence and never let go. The willingness to mend physical and psychological wounds, to listen... this is a magical piece of fiction.
ReplyDeleteYes, the magic exists on multiple levels on this piece. I'm so glad you saw that. :)
DeleteWow! This is a wonderful tale. The fact that she is being hunted for her wings, says so much.
ReplyDeleteThank you
DeleteBoth bright and melancholy, it seems that this symbiotic may not last but there is hope between them. A brief reflection of time in the middle of a much larger story. Thanks, Rommy
ReplyDeleteI am loving that people really feel like this is part of a bigger tale. Maybe it will be.
Delete