DREAMS of a CLOUD
Peruse the many random ramblings of a writer-in-training as I build stories and develop my craft.
3 June 2024 part 1
As Isaac opened his mouth to reply, Phillip held up a hand to stop him. “And one other thing. Say you’re right. Say we convince her, and she come back to Lowenveil City with us. What then?”
Isaac looked up at his friend in shock, so Phillip continued, “Did you forget? She’s only got a few weeks before bam! She keels over dead. Any guesses how she feels about that?”
1 June 2024
“Was… was that really Princess Aurora?”
For the longest moment, Phillip stared at him, unimpressed. “She looks more like your mom than you do, Isaac.”
14 May 2024
“Oh, wow! Did you paint that? That’s Percival, right?
Instantly, Rapuzel’s expression brightened. “You read the King Arthur books?” When Phillip nodded, she pressed, “How far have you gotten?”
“I’m all caught up, even with the latest book [author]’s released. You?”
7 May 2024
Isaac could only stare at the girl leading them onward.
This was Aurora? Really? This cowardly, frail slip of a girl was supposed to be his long-lost sister?
6 May 2024
“Sorry about all that. We’re looking for my sister, Aurora. Do you know where she is?”
Rapunzel’s face turned red as she realized she messed up. Or had she? He mouth opened and closed a few times as she tried to figure out what she should do.
While her mind spun, the two boys waited a moment before Phillip shrugged and opened the door. They were already out in the hallway before Rapunzel finally called out, eyes closed, “I-it’s me!”
26 April 2024
“Why couldn’t Maleficent find her? She’s not really mortal anymore, is she?”
Lena scowled at the mention of Venwald’s queen, but Frieda chuckled darkly. “Had it been anyone else she faced, the Fairy Killer would have noticed. How long did she wander these woods, searching for something she can never find, I wonder?”
23 April 2024
Rapunzel’s current project was actually based on a portrait of Hannah from over a decade prior, holding a baby. Probably Prince Isaac, but it was hard to tell; it could have been Rapunzel herself, before Mother had whisked her away.
Rapunzel let a finger brush the painting’s face, before she shook her head and got to work. She wanted to see how much she could get done in the next three days.
5 April 2024
Ne’er have I regretted a promise more
And decades since last I shed a tear
Yet I will respect thy wish
Breath for breath, and life for life.
16 February 2024
Queen Maleficent pressed her lips into a line that almost could pass for a smile. She surveyed the room, then stopped when she saw the two fairies near Aurora. When she spoke, her voice dripped with venom. “Queen Hannah. If I make ask, who are they? And what are they doing here?”
14 February 2024
Isaac flinched and shook his head. But what else could he offer? He took back the paper and quill to write, “What would you want of me?”
They studied him for a time. “What about three moments of your time, picked at our discretion?”
“Or perhaps… your thirst for adventure?” Lena walked up and used Isaac’s chin to turn his head to the side. “Yours is surprisingly powerful, after all.”
13 February 2024
In the same moment, both women shifted. Instead of a frail wisp of a girl, Frieda was now a full-bodied, statuesque woman, even a bit taller than Phillip. Lena was still short, roughly around Isaac’s height, but instead of an old lady she now had youthful even elfin features, with dark hair pulled back in a long braid.
Isaac tried to protest, only to discover he couldn’t make any sound. He could breath just fine, but his voice was just…gone.
8 February 2024
Lena herself had transformed into a nervous-looking woman with a hint of buck teeth. She frowned at Frieda for a moment, then huffed and plopped into a chair, arms folded. “Fine. But if they’re here to arrest us after all, I’m turning them both into frogs.”
6 February 2024
Phillip, what cruelty is this?
The treasure, though found, is but dross
My eyes now see nothing but bones
And she, for sure, no princess can be
5 February 2024
Everything clicked together. Green and pink dresses, a shack out in the boonies… Even their names. Isaac couldn’t help but smile widely. “Right, I never introduced myself. Prince of Lowenveil at your service; my godmother is queen of Venwald. You might know her as Maleficent.”
3 February 2024
“I wanted to understand how it works. How do you determine people’s fortunes? What kinds of things do you see? How do you interpret that?”
Alne’s smile grew strained. “These secrets come with great dangers, and for those not well-versed in the mystic arts, I doubt it would even be comprehensible.”
1 February 2024
It took another hour or so to reach the shack in the center of the swamp. A rickety old sign teetered at the edge of the island, with the words, “Fortunes and Potions! No Refunds.”
31 January 2024
“That seems like a terrible idea.”
“Worse than leaving me in charge?”
For a long moment, Phillip didn’t reply. “Lowenveil’s doomed, isn’t it?”
Isaac’s grinned widened, while he did his best to ignore the little prick he felt at Phillip’s comment.
30 January 2024
Come one, come all,
And see the blessed babe
Aurora, our light,
Our hope and delight.
29 January 2024
“You were willing to let go of all that long before the princeling ever showed up at your doorstep. You’d already resigned yourself to a short life.” Then the creature smiled far too wide for its face, and with far too many teeth. “No. What I want is far more precious than that. I want your leisure.”
27 January 2024
“Excuse me! Sorry to bother you, but is your name Aurora?”
Rather than reply, Rapunzel pulled her head back and slammed the window shut, before she curled into a ball in a corner of the room. Aurora. That was her real name, right? Which means that boy was probably…
“My brother!?” Rapunzel squeaked.