Inner Mind

[Erlind]

"Just stretching," I promise her. Earlier I was delirious with exhaustion, but she calmed me. Now, sleep is battering at my door and keeps sneaking up behind me to knock me over. Its making it difficult to put together sentences.

"Thank you for earlier." Its quiet, but my first easily found coherent thought.

 

[Luna_Wolf72]

A smile, one that belongs to him...

"You are welcome, E. You have done the same for me...on more than one occasion."

Another yawn...

"I think tis time for me to go back to bed...my eyes keep attempting to drift shut."

 

[Erlind]

"Sleep well again, Luna. You deserve every minute of it."

 

[Erlind]

Collapses on the floor and passes the fuck out.

 

[Erlind]

I withdraw from the floor and take a seat again by the fire. Idly I spent a playing card between my fingers as my eyes wander about the room, a five of spades. I scan book shelves, glance at dancing flames, and look, wondering, out past my little room into the maze beyond. The card spins.

I haven't spent enough time out there exploring lately. I'm not concerned that I haven't found anything just concerned I haven't looked. Nothing out there needs to be found, just sought out. The card flips back and forth along my fingers. Then again I have work to do. Two threads call for my attention. Somehow one alone is always tough to work on, but when a pair or more need to be done I'm able to work easier.

The card stops with its corner between my thumb and forefinger. I curl my wrist inward and with a sudden flick send the five of spades along a fast straight line spinning into the fire. It passes between a space in the logs and catches deep within the embers where its consumed almost out of sight.

Briefly I leave my seat to find a journal and a pen.

 

[Erlind]

Below the Root

I start to wonder how long I've been down here. No way to see the sun and no one to ask the time. The only reference I can have is how much lamp oil I've burnt up down here and I refuse to check it. As much as I want to know how long I desperately do not want to know how much left.

Dull stone gray tunnels that go on for miles beneath the earth, trees, and sky are the only thing I've seen. I've heard the flow of water from somewhere deeper down, but I haven't found it yet. Those occasional wisps of simple sound have been a blessing though in the eery silence I move through. Another ladder put together out of now rotting wood is about to send me deeper. Someone made it, some long time before. Someone wanted to be down here in the dark.

Rung by rung I place more stone between me and the surface. Ten feet, twenty, more. I don't dare look down. The sides and behind me are only that lifeless suffocating stone. I stare at the rungs as they go by instead of anything else. Its the easiest thing I can do, but the light is starting to dim. I have to add more oil. I have no way to light the lamp again if it goes out. I can't. Holding the lamp on the ladder is difficult as it stands, adding oil would be too dangerous. All my focus is on the rungs. I move down as quickly as I can, ever waiting for one to give and send me straight down the rest of this seemingly endless shaft. I keep climbing. I don't know what else to do.

Finally, mercifully I feel the stone beneath my feet. The flame is sputtering and I know what is next, but moving too quick could put it out all together. I carefully set it down and struggle with my pack. I free a flask and pop off the cork spilling some of the clear slimy oil across my hands. I squat and and pour in all I can and wait. For a moment the small flame continues to die, but slowly it grows. I am safe.

As I turn I kick a rock and I only just see it as it tumbles over the ledge. Where I stand there is three feet or less on any side before the stone either drops off into oblivion or meets the sheer face of the cave. I carefully lean over, but only oblivion has come to meet my gaze. A vast nothingness that goes on forever. I still haven't heard the rock hit anything. I look back and forth in disbelief. Who would come so far down for nothing. Then the tiny edge jutting out of the wall catches my eye. I moves along the wall further down for I don't know how long. Hand holds dot the wall above it. I wonder why no supports like the ladder down here. Still, this is the only way I have to press on. Cramped stone lined with ladder traded for an unbearable openness that leaves you nothing to save yourself if you slip even a little.

Holding the lamp is even harder than before. I'm glad to have just filled it, doing so again would be deadly out here. Now where I look isn't an option anymore. My cheek is pressed against the cold stone out of necessity, it is the only way I can be if I want to hang on. My lamp is held in the left as I move to the right. It leaves my right open to grope for the next hidden hand hold, the next unexpected source of stability. My heart pounds as my slow progress continues. I want to jump out of my skin, but I have nowhere I can be. All there is now is the slow edging towards an unseen goal.

It felt like forever, but when I am able to step out from the air again I can distantly see the ladder. I didn't go that far. I didn't hear it above the rush of my own blood before, but now I realize the sound of water lapping at a subterranean shore has been growing. Its not much farther now.

 

[Erlind]

Journal is closed and put away with the pen. Threads are all up to date for the moment and I even took a little time to make a piece that gave me a seriously needed jump start. I'm satisfied.

I go to the door and pulled a heavy leather jacket off of its hook and slip it on. Then through the heavy door and out into the howling winds. The cold wind tears at my jacket, but today doesn't seem as bad as some other days have. I wander through the eternal twilight and Escher like landscape. Many turns are made, stairways gone up and down, but I know what I'm looking for so I have no chance of getting lost.

When I find it I stop and smile. The door is stone and looks older than many of the others. A simple image of a flame has been carved deeply into the rock at eye level. I grab the heavy iron ring mounted to the door and slowly pull it open. A slight orange glow comes from behind the door and I slip inside, leaving it cracked open should anyone decide to follow.

 

[Erlind]

Volcanic Retreat

As I step inside, my clothes change to a thin black cotton bathrobe with silver designs lining the edge and simple brown sandals. The passage descending into the rock is wide and has a smooth surface. An orange glow comes from a drop off on the right side. Far below a river of lava flows bringing heat and light. The coursing molten rock is something I could easily watch for hours as it bubbled and flowed deeper into the earth. A bead of sweat rolls down my forehead, along the bridge of my nose, and falls from my face. I grin.

Eventually the passage opens out into a large chamber. I first walk to the cliff and look out into the rest of the cavern below. Rivers of lava dominate the system of caves leaving the stone heated and red in some places. By all rights the heat rising off the volcanic rivers below should be enough to kill me. Even if it couldn’t the poison gases of the volcano should. I smile as I look over the subtle signs of a protective spell that lines the cliff and safeguards this place. Steam rolls off the cliff from behind me.

I turn and look over the rest of my reclusive retreat. A stone dragon’s head is carved out of the rough rock of the far wall. The dragon’s smiling mouth acts as a spout and water is pouring out into a large of pool of steaming water below it. Shelves carved into the walls house everything from soaps, washcloths, and towels for bathing to a humidor with cigars and shisha for the hookah set up at a wrought iron table off to the side. A huge cooler sits at the water’s edge filled with ice cold bottled water and other beverages.

Black fabric falls into a pile next to my sandals at the water’s edge as I sink into wonderfully hot water. I find a comfortable place to sit and stretch my arms back along the side. I lay back and close my eyes just enjoying the water, breathing deep the steam that fills much of the chamber.

 

[Erlind]

I return from my volcanic retreat refreshed. The moment I had stepped back past that stone door my clothes returned and somehow the journey back was even shorter than the one there. I hang my coat on the hook by the door as I come back in and flop down on a couch. Stretching out, I'm tempted to take a nap, but my schedule has flipped. I work days now.

Instead I muse on a muse. I may be musing a long time though. Its giving me trouble for some reason.

Wind howls cheerily outside. Fire crackles gleefully inside. Today would be a perfect day if not for the mandatory fun tonight.

 

[Erlind]

Its strange. I'm a little unsure of the world for the moment, so I've retreated here. I've been returning here less recently, but I'm not sure why. Guess I just haven't seen a need. Its a good place to ramble, but otherwise few visit and I just end up writing nothing just to write something. Words should have purpose.

I return to the quiet room and hang my coat at the door. The fire has died out in my absence, something I hadn't realized possible. I take the opportunity to scoop the pile of ashes in the fire pit into a garbage can with a wrought iron shovel that's part of a set. Once the brick pit is clear again I go to the wood box and select some split logs and kindling. I carefully build everything together before stuffing the center with newspaper and dryer lint.

A match and the fire starts small, but it grows. It should stay for some time.

 

[Luna_Wolf72]

The Wolfling comes rambling, her footsteps heavier than normal, her head down a little under the pressure of a sinus headache that grows with every passing minute.Eventually, she reaches the home of E. A small hand knocks rapidly upon the door...and she waits to be invited inside.

 

[Erlind]

A knock at the door.

I dust my hands off and turn away from the fire that is almost beginning to roar. I answer the door and there stands Luna, sick and weary. I wrap my hand around hers and guide her inside before shutting out the cold with the door. I let go, but only so I can wrap my arms around her.

"I feel like I need to get you some tea."

 

[Luna_Wolf72]

Heat and strength. Two things which she finds she requires desperately. She steps close to him, allowing him to enfold her in his arms, her nose buried in the center of his chest.

"Tea? Tea would be awesome."

Dark brown eyes focus upon the fire, eyes watching the flames as they dance to and fro.

"May I sit down? Don't wanna get you sick but my fever is returning and the dizzy thing is kicking in..."

 

[Erlind]

I nod.

"Go sit by the fire. I will take care of tea."

I release the wolf, make sure she is steady, and then go off to the bar to find tea. I hop up and slide over the bar and begin hunting. I find a kettle, fill it with water and start it heating on a small stove. Next, I get out a tray and begin arranging things. I set two heavy mugs, miniature bowls of sugar, honey and lemon wedges, a little pitcher of milk, and a wooden box filled with various types of tea on the tray. When the kettle starts to whistle I add that too.

I carefully carry the tray over and set it by the wolf.

"Figured I'd cover all my bases."

 

[Luna_Wolf72]

I move to do as he says, curling up on the couch so that my body is facing toward the fire. I listen as he rummages for stuff and eventually the high pitch of the tea kettle warns me that he is ready. Head turns, focuses upon the tray and gives a slow smile at the plethora of things he's provided.

Slender fingers reach for a mug and an Earl Gray tea bag. Water is added to the mug and left for long minutes to steep. Eventually the bag is removed and two wedges of lemon are squeezed into the deliciousness of the mug.

The first sip is ambrosial.

"Thanks E."

A pause as I take another long sip.

"How are you?"

 

[Erlind]

Filling my mug I make some mint tea and add just a little honey. I am glad to have the wolf here. Once I done fiddling with my tea I slip onto the couch next to her and take a short drink.

"I well. Woke up to some drunk facebook messages from someone I know that had me a little concerned, but everything has turned out alright. I'm sorry to see that you're still sick. I was lucky the last time I was sick, I took the brunt of it on my days off."

 

[Luna_Wolf72]

I nod while sipping my tea, my eyes trained upon his face.

"What sucks is I got everyone else through it and NOW...I can't breathe or move and all the meds are gone til I get off work today at 3."

Sighs.

"It is, as they say, the suck..."

 

[Erlind]

"I am sorry you are having to endure the suck right now."

I wrap a single arm around the weary woman trying to offer a little comfort.

"Not too much longer now though. Wait. Three this afternoon right? Otherwise I'm going to feel like a real ass."

 

[Luna_Wolf72]

A soft smile, snuggling against his side with a sigh

"Yeah 3 in the afternoon...more than likely I will probably be leaving here by around 2...not sure if I can make it another 1.5 hours."

 

[Erlind]

I rub her back as I hold the lovely wolf against me. Glad to have her warmth this afternoon.

"You must be in a seriously bad place if you're unsure of an hour and a half. Feel better soon, little wolf."

 

[Luna_Wolf72]

Low moan, long hacking sort of cough.

"You have the right of it, sweetness. I honestly feel like stir fried crap."

Finishes her tea and sets the empty mug upon the tray.

 

[Erlind]

I reach over the couch and pull up a thick red blanket that had been folded up there. I spread it out and pull it over us, making sure she is completely covered up. I reach back again, having to stretch a bit this time and produce a box of extra soft kleenex and set them next to her if she needs them.

"You'll be feeling better soon," I promise her.

 

[Luna_Wolf72]

I snuggle up next to him, feeling the softness of the blanket and the hard muscular flesh of his body next to mine. Dark brown eyes drift closed, a slight smile curving full lips upward.

"Thank you for snuggling me, sweetness. Today has been mega icky."

Attempts to take a breath and hacks it out in a cough. Grabs a kleenex and whimpers into it., sounding exactly like a little lost puppy.

"One more hour."

 

[Erlind]

Its always strange to see Luna at less than her best, but I'm glad I can be here for her. I hug her a little closer for a moment and give the dozing wolf a soft smile.

"I always glad to provide a good snuggle on a bad day."

 

[Luna_Wolf72]

Relaxes against my friend and allows the blah feeling to dissipate. There are days and times when I wonder what I am doing with myself...this is not the day or the time.

"I may disappear, if I do, forgive me."