Fairies.
As was mentioned, they were believed long since extinct. Never had a Woodling laid eyes on the mythical creatures; never had the fabled earthen kingdoms or the remains of, been discovered. All that existed, until now, were fantastical bedtime stories told by the most theatrical and captivating story tellers in the Woodling realm.
Children would listen; their unfettered imaginations carrying them into mystical worlds of magic spells and love unknown. The echoed stories of impossible feats of "bright magic" were the closest to religion that the Woodlings ever came.
Versions of holidays where naive Woodling children anxiously awaited the night time arrival of the ancient fairy known as 'Shy-smile'; the humble and loving giver of children's toys that delivered presents while the children slept. It was always the height of betrayal when the children, one by one, discovered... Well, let's just say- sadly, children eventually lost sight of the magic of Shy's Day.
Never-the-less, the traditions lived on, the stories were re-told, and fairies continued to exist in the very magical recesses of Woodling hearts.
But no one had ever seen a fairy. Until now, of course.
Chester and Talo quickly scurried down the meticulously carved staircase that wound around and around the tree until they reached the soft forest floor- leaping the last half of the the last wind of steps. Talo helped Chester to his feet and the pair anxiously hurried after the soft glow that was the fairy.
To say that the fairy "flew" would be a slightly inaccurate description of the way in which the creature navigated the lower skies of the forest. As you or I would walk on the solid ground with all the confidence in the world in the laws of physics holding up their end of the deal, the fairy seemed oblivious to the concepts of gravity and solid objects.
The air was simply another route to get where she was going and trees seemed as mere two-dimensional distractions; there seemed nothing 'in the way of' the fairy and she continued a graceful straight-line passage through the forest. What seemed a guaranteed collision toyed with the mind as the object indistinctly 'turned sideways' and allowed the fairy to pass. As Chester and Talo lacked such graces, following the fairy proved a task unto itself.
Wide eyed and fumbling over the general debris of the forest, the two Woodling adventurers followed the levitating figure until she passed into a sleeve of existence where the Woodlings could not seem to follow.
"Where'd she go!?" Chester asked- his tone was that of thrilled disappointment and disbelief wrestling over the last remaining shred of logical conclusion.
Talo was silent; unable to conjure any sort of audible explanation as to where, why, who, or even when. The two Woodlings spun in circles looking for any sign of the fairy.
Finally, Talo managed to locate his collective vocabulary and he quickly assembled a sentence- "She... She went into the pages." This may sound implausible and inaccurate, though that was exactly as it seemed.
Suddenly, the fairy reappeared; slipping gracefully out of a slice of the world unseen. She nodded warmly at the young entranced Woodlings (their tails flicked happily behind them like dogs awaiting a treat) and provided an even warmer smile. Calmly, she 'walked' down to the two young Woodlings and stretched a hand out to each of them.
Chester shot a quick glance at Talo and Talo returned it excitedly as they each reached out for a hand from the fairy.
It would not be worth describing how the fairy's skin texture felt, or the peace the followed her embrace- there are not words in existence yet that could do such a description justice. What can be said, is that the moment the two young Woodlings clasped her hands, the world turned sideways and an entirely new an unseen dimension stood before them that was bustling with magical creatures of the fairy realm.
Elves in bright colors tipped their hats as they walked by, chatting merrily amongst their groups. Fairies navigated the unnaturally illuminated skies with grace and nonchalant defiance of physics. Eloquent buildings and natural stone walkways seemed to melt into the natural world in the most logical ways.
For the most part, there was an overwhelming peace and calmness in the air. Yet, there was also a shimmer of worry that could be felt. In a realm where most things magical exist symbiotically; an unbreakable dependance on oneness- the slightest fear or worry could be felt by all. Even Chester and Talo could feel it.
"This way." The fairy stated softly.
Chester looked at Talo with the absence of overwhelming excitement one might expect at a time such as this.
Talo simply replied, "I feel it too."
The two young Woodlings followed after the fairy through the earthen world kingdom of the fairy realm.
To Be Continued........................
As was mentioned, they were believed long since extinct. Never had a Woodling laid eyes on the mythical creatures; never had the fabled earthen kingdoms or the remains of, been discovered. All that existed, until now, were fantastical bedtime stories told by the most theatrical and captivating story tellers in the Woodling realm.
Children would listen; their unfettered imaginations carrying them into mystical worlds of magic spells and love unknown. The echoed stories of impossible feats of "bright magic" were the closest to religion that the Woodlings ever came.
Versions of holidays where naive Woodling children anxiously awaited the night time arrival of the ancient fairy known as 'Shy-smile'; the humble and loving giver of children's toys that delivered presents while the children slept. It was always the height of betrayal when the children, one by one, discovered... Well, let's just say- sadly, children eventually lost sight of the magic of Shy's Day.
Never-the-less, the traditions lived on, the stories were re-told, and fairies continued to exist in the very magical recesses of Woodling hearts.
But no one had ever seen a fairy. Until now, of course.
Chester and Talo quickly scurried down the meticulously carved staircase that wound around and around the tree until they reached the soft forest floor- leaping the last half of the the last wind of steps. Talo helped Chester to his feet and the pair anxiously hurried after the soft glow that was the fairy.
To say that the fairy "flew" would be a slightly inaccurate description of the way in which the creature navigated the lower skies of the forest. As you or I would walk on the solid ground with all the confidence in the world in the laws of physics holding up their end of the deal, the fairy seemed oblivious to the concepts of gravity and solid objects.
The air was simply another route to get where she was going and trees seemed as mere two-dimensional distractions; there seemed nothing 'in the way of' the fairy and she continued a graceful straight-line passage through the forest. What seemed a guaranteed collision toyed with the mind as the object indistinctly 'turned sideways' and allowed the fairy to pass. As Chester and Talo lacked such graces, following the fairy proved a task unto itself.
Wide eyed and fumbling over the general debris of the forest, the two Woodling adventurers followed the levitating figure until she passed into a sleeve of existence where the Woodlings could not seem to follow.
"Where'd she go!?" Chester asked- his tone was that of thrilled disappointment and disbelief wrestling over the last remaining shred of logical conclusion.
Talo was silent; unable to conjure any sort of audible explanation as to where, why, who, or even when. The two Woodlings spun in circles looking for any sign of the fairy.
Finally, Talo managed to locate his collective vocabulary and he quickly assembled a sentence- "She... She went into the pages." This may sound implausible and inaccurate, though that was exactly as it seemed.
Suddenly, the fairy reappeared; slipping gracefully out of a slice of the world unseen. She nodded warmly at the young entranced Woodlings (their tails flicked happily behind them like dogs awaiting a treat) and provided an even warmer smile. Calmly, she 'walked' down to the two young Woodlings and stretched a hand out to each of them.
Chester shot a quick glance at Talo and Talo returned it excitedly as they each reached out for a hand from the fairy.
It would not be worth describing how the fairy's skin texture felt, or the peace the followed her embrace- there are not words in existence yet that could do such a description justice. What can be said, is that the moment the two young Woodlings clasped her hands, the world turned sideways and an entirely new an unseen dimension stood before them that was bustling with magical creatures of the fairy realm.
Elves in bright colors tipped their hats as they walked by, chatting merrily amongst their groups. Fairies navigated the unnaturally illuminated skies with grace and nonchalant defiance of physics. Eloquent buildings and natural stone walkways seemed to melt into the natural world in the most logical ways.
For the most part, there was an overwhelming peace and calmness in the air. Yet, there was also a shimmer of worry that could be felt. In a realm where most things magical exist symbiotically; an unbreakable dependance on oneness- the slightest fear or worry could be felt by all. Even Chester and Talo could feel it.
"This way." The fairy stated softly.
Chester looked at Talo with the absence of overwhelming excitement one might expect at a time such as this.
Talo simply replied, "I feel it too."
The two young Woodlings followed after the fairy through the earthen world kingdom of the fairy realm.
To Be Continued........................