Unforgetful Holidays

[Deniz :]]]]

wow ember your getting more and more talented every chapter

[Ember]

Chapter 7: The Magic of Nature

Midnight followed the nameless horse in front, walking up the path at a steady speed, not ready to take over the male, as she felt the tension between the two riders loud and clear. Neither spoke a word, or made any attempt to interact. The pink haired rider silently tried to hide the tears falling down her face, refusing to turn and face the farmer, hoping that aslong as he didn’t see, he wouldn’t know. Her hands gently slid down the horses’ neck, feeling his fur against her skin, it was warm, and soft, it reminded her of the days she enjoyed, the days she loved. But not today, no, today she had almost drowned and been stalked by a short scientist, now she was just over-emotional.
Popuri swiftly dived down from the horse, firmly landing on the ground, her red shoes hitting the floor made a small gust of dirt danced around her feet. She was in a small clearing, by the valleys waterfall; a small pond lay to her left, half hidden among the long grass which surrounded its edge, overlooked by the large willow behind. She smiled weakly, and turned to face the farmer, unsure whether or not to alight from the horse on which he sat. She nodded to him, and without a word, he jumped down, and stood before her, his feet taking him further towards the girl, his mind a blur and his body numb. He gently lifted her hands in his, her face going crimson in the process, unsure of what he was doing; he just let his body guide him, to do what he felt was right.
Her hands relaxed in his, held up to her waist, and Jack slowly lowered his head to hers, tilting it to the right slightly, and whispered gently into her ear, so that the spirits of the forest couldn’t hear, “I’m sorry.”
She leant his head against his, unaware that her face was now glowing crimson, and softly said, “As am I.”
The wind slowly whistled around them, the gentle breeze not affecting the warmth the two shared as they leant against one another. His hands ran up her arms, as they fell to her side, and he could feel the soft material of her dress against his fingers as they ran along her sides, and gathered together on her lower back. Neither smiled, nor frowned, nor made any sign of communicating other than through body language. She pushed herself closer to him, closing the gap between them, as the horses just stared in awe, unsure if this was going to well.
Jack pulled away, trying to hold back tears of happiness, and slowly removed his hands from her back, joining them with her palms once more. He smiled down at her, looking into her flushed face, staring into her shining red eyes, which sparkled in the dusk.
She smiled back, but gently pulled her hands out of his, and turned away, walking towards the ponds edge, and kneeling by it’s surface. Jack felt his insides falling apart, but just watched her, not sure whether to approach her, or leave. She reached behind her delicate neck, her soft fingers running through her pink locks, and unclipped a small necklace, and held it across her palm, the chain hung between her fingers, the perfect links exposed to the country air and the fresh scents of the forest. She rolled it over in her hand, the letter ‘P’ was carved into a flat heart of silver metal, which widened at the centre. Grasping it by the chain with her left hand, she held it out over the pond, took one last look, closed her eyes and let it fall into the hidden depths. She stared down into the water, watching the links of metal slowly fall from view, falling into a murky grave which nobody can see. Tears fled from her eyes as the metal glistened once more, and for the final time, until the liquid swallowed the pendant, and it sunk away forever.
Jack approached her cautiously, and knelt down beside her, looking into the deep, dark depths of the pond, and put one hand on her shoulder, rubbing it gently. She looked up at him, a small smile appearing on her face, even if it didn’t last long.
Jack returned the smile, glad to see all was well again; “Let’s go to the Inn.”

[Deniz :]]]]

aww that was a great chapter ember

[Ember]

Chapter 8: The Oceans Warmth

Popuri stiffly opened the door to the Inner Inn, cast her eyes around the dull room, and walked over to the stairs, placing one hand firmly on the wooden banister whilst she waited for the farmer behind her.
Jack pressed the door closed, and followed the girl up the stairs, wondering why she was taking him up there, rather than sitting in the main area. He didn’t make an attempt to communicate, rather just sat down when he reached her room, at a small table by the window, whilst she threw herself on the soft, large, bed. She lay on the blue bedspread, and looked up at Jack, then sat up, her legs spread across the bed. She eyed him mysteriously for a moment, unsure of what to say, or what to do.
“Who gave you the necklace?” Jack asked softly, watching her nervous actions slowly.
“Kai…” she said quietly, breaking eye contact with the farmer, “He comes to Mineral Town every summer.”
“… I guess you like him, then?” Jack replied, looking down for a few moments.
“I did,” she replied, lying back and staring up at the ceiling.
Jack stood up, and walked over to her, hesitating before sitting down beside her, and placed her hand gently on her arm, rubbing his thumb along the skin. He couldn’t think of anything to say, but realised that something wasn’t right. She had used such force on the word ‘did’, it was almost as if she hated him now.
“Come with me, please,” he said, almost without realising it, the girl just nodded, and tossed her legs over the side of the bed.
Jack was unsure of his own intentions, and once more let his two feet guide him along the hardened pavement of smooth rock. His heart beat quickened with each step, and he could feel the blood pumping wildly within his veins. His hands slowly became clammy as a sheet of sweat emerged via his pores, drenching his hands so they felt that within them held the sea which gently lapped the shores of the valley.
“Popuri,” he said softly as they turned onto the grass, with blades which gently rocked back and forth in the steady breeze, “I promise you, that you will love this.”
He paused by a tree, Popuri stood beside him, and looked over at the water. The setting Sun sent a dazzling spiral of glitter over the water, churning the gentle waves into soft shapes of stars and swirls, and reflected the last quarter of the moon, which hung low in the radiant orange sky above. A dim cloud of mist formed over the water as the Sun lowered itself a little further, which covered the mass of sea, creating a magical effect on the valley.
Popuri stared in awe, her sparkling red eyes shone with amazement, and wonder, her hands frozen in front of her, cupped together gently, pressed against the soft material of her dress. Mentally threatening her self not to blink, in case the splendour disappeared, she took several steps forward, noticing down the hill in front of her; lay many glowing flowers, swaying delicately.
“Several years ago, I stood here alone,” Jack said tenderly, “Whilst all the other men in the Valley danced with their newest loves, in the grand dance held to celebrate Romanas’ sixtieth birthday, I was in my late teens then, the other two girls my age were in trances over those better looking than I.”
“How shallow,” Popuri said sympathetically.
“I never believed one day, I could find the courage to show a person this, especially after knowing them less than twenty four hours,” he said, his cheeks glowing slightly, “I guess it would have been embarrassing to show someone I had known since my childhood something which meant so much to me, it seems a little silly for a male to enjoy such peaceful things…”
“It doesn’t,” the girl protested, yet her voice was soft and calm, “I wish my brother was more like you, unafraid, yet still shows emotions.”
Jack smiled dimly, and turned to face the Inner Inn behind them, his face fell, but he tried to hide it, “I guess it’s time I got back to the farm,” he said quietly.
“Goodnight, Jack,” she said in a mere whisper, as the farmer mounted his black stallion, and rode off into the distance, followed by the nameless horse.

[Ember]

Chapter 9: Forever Young

“Hey Jack, I’ll race you to Muffys’ place!” Rock laughed, “First one there gets a kiss, what do you say?”
“You’re on!” the young boy chuckled, arising from the floor of the farm, “We’ll be right back Celia, promise!”
The eight year old girl stood up, and smiled at the two before her, “Okay.”
Rock raced outside of the farm, almost knocking over Celias’ aunt Vesta in his haste. Screaming an apology, the blonde boy ran faster, unprepared to show his reddened face to his friends. Jack tore the ground as he chased after him, dodging the slow walking, yet peaceful folk.
“You’re so slow!” Rock said as Jack eventually stopped outside the Blue Bar, “I guess I’m the winner.”
Muffy emerged from the bar carrying a small tray, with two glasses of lemonade balanced on top, “Drink up.”
Jack hastily took a glass in his hand, and drank it in what gulp, Rock, however, ignored the drink and gave Muffy a peck on the cheek. The blonde girl flushed, and darted inside, the young brown haired boy rolled his eyes.
“Did you forget to mention she was just a prize at the end of a race?” Jack said, knowing the answer already.
“Aye, maybe,” he said, taking a glass, and sliding down the wall of the bar, “But I’m unsure of why she acted that timid, she’s used to this kind of thing from us.”
“Don’t worry about it, at ten years old girls minds start to change, soon they will become nagging machines, and will tell us to stop acting so immature.”
Rock sighed, “Yeah, maybe. I wish the fun times could last forever, I don’t want to grow up.”
“Me neither,” Jack replied, “I like things just the way they are.”
Rock took the glass’ inside, and the two slowly walked back to the local produce farm, watching the clouds as they took each step along the dirt path, smiling to themselves; as they enjoyed the warmth of the Sun.
At the bridge, they met Celia, dragging a raft along the wooden planks, “Need a hand?” Rock asked.
“Please,” she replied, as the two boys helped carry it down to the water, stopping by the sea.
“Going into the water?” Jack asked her, she nodded.
“You two coming?” she asked, both boys agreed to.

The waves slowly pushed the three out on the small raft, the gentle currant rocking them back and forth, and the birds chirping high above them, singing their songs for all to hear.
Rock stood up on the raft, and pulled at his blue t-shirt, and dropped it onto the dry boards, before diving into the crystal clear sea. He emerged seconds later, treading water as he laughed, then swam out a little further on his own, the other two following him.
“If he drowns, I’m not saving him,” Jack chuckled as he lent back on the raft, soaking up the Suns rays on the fine day.
“Yeah, let him save himself,” Celia said, hanging her legs over the edge, watching the clouds pass by overhead. After a few moments, a scream was heard from the young girl, as she fainted from a poisonous bite.

[Deniz :]]]]

was that celia who screamed? i like it ember keep on going

[Ember]

Part 10: Dawns Break


A loud groan came from the one submerged within the soft, deep quilts which lay across the large wooden bed, a slim leg jerked out of one end, seeming unsure of its intensions or whereabouts. It lazily rolled along the warm sheets, favouring the fabric which it pressed against. An even slimmer arm came out of the other end, frantically reaching about, as if trying to grab the air itself within its grasp. Another arm joined it, and eventually a head of pink locks which shone in the morning Sun arose from the sleepy chambers of the darkened fortress of blankets.
Releasing her shoulders from the tightly bound material, Popuri shook her hair free of the crumpled, yet comfortable, mess which served as a bed. Delicately pulling her chest, hips and legs free, she tossed her lower body over the edge, and half sat, half slumped on the side of the bed.
Sleepily hazing at the old guest room clock, she watched the bright green runes flash four in the morning, contrasting well against the dark, dust covered face of the clock. Groaning once more, the girl felt as if she was weighed down with a tonne of flour as she stood up from the bed, and stumbled over to the windowsill, leaning heavily on the wooden ledge, staring out of the murky glass, her limbs hanging numb, and limp as she pressed herself against the ledge, not feeling any pain, yet seeing the result of the pressure making her skin paler around certain points.
She looked out through the glass of tinted darkness, her eyes washing over the ocean, watching every wave lap the shore in a repetitive routine, only rising a little more each time, out ranking the others before it, as if it was race to prove itself against the other molecules in the sea which outlined the coast of the valley.
A gentle knock at the door awoke her from her world of late slumber, her head arising from its new resting place on the windowsill. She lazily approached her door, grasping the handle swiftly, and opening it to reveal a young blonde man, who was already wide awake and dressed at this early hour.
“Hello?” the girl asked curiously, resting against the door frame, trying to satisfy her need for rest.
“I’m sorry, did I wake you?” he asked, noticing her drowsy expression and weak posture.
“No, its okay,” she said, trying to stop herself from yawning, “You didn’t wake me.”
The man let out a sigh of relief, “Oh good, sorry, it was just your zombie-like impression had me a little concerned.”
“Do I really look that a bad?” she half laughed, pressing her head against the frame.
“No, not at all,” he said softly, “I’m sorry to offend.”
“It’s alright, you didn’t offend me,” she said sleepily.
“Good to hear it,” he replied, “I’m Rock.”
“Popuri,” she replied weakly.
The young man nodded and left, leaving the tired girl standing in the doorframe, unsure of her surroundings for a moment. She mentally shook herself, and sluggishly dragged her feet across the room, and fell down, face first into the pile of quilts which flooded her bed. Her legs fell limp and hung over the mattress, her stomach resting on the edge, all was peaceful.
Her heart skipped a beat as a near, yet distance scream was heard.

The alarm clock sprang to life, awaking those who lived within the wooden home. The farmer ran a hand through his messy brown hair, letting out a large yawn as he reached out one hand to turn off the alarm. He sat up, and rubbed his eyes, before pulling back the small blanket which covered him, and letting his legs fall over the sides of the bed, dropping into to deep blue slippers.
A brown and white pointed ear dog leapt onto his lap, barking with joy, and rubbing his head against his masters’ hand, provoking him to stroke his fur.
“Morning Scrapps,” he said cheerfully, scratching the puppies head, then cradling in his arms, and setting him down on the rug below.
Jack sighed as he trudged through to the kitchen, and opened the fridge, taking out a bottle of his own cows’ milk, and pouring it into one of the clean glasses which lay along the counter, and then placed the bottle back into the fridge once more, so that it wouldn’t spoil.
He wandered through to the main room once more, and placed his glass down on the table, before going over to his bookcase, and taking out a small book, with had ‘Cow Dates’ scribbled along the cover.
He took a pen from the small pot which lay on the shelf, and sat down at the table, opening it roughly a quarter of the way through, opening a page which bared a small, neatly drawn table, clustered with writing and tally marks.
Jack drew a line next to the three which already lay there, “Two more days,” he smiled, “Two more days until Daisy gets the MP.”
Scrapps gave a gentle bark as the farmer pressed his lips against the glass, savouring the liquid as it slowly slithered down his throat. The glass slid slightly, and Jack placed it down on the table, and flicked through several pages of his book.
“Odd…” he said to himself, “I didn’t fill out the evening charts yesterday. Guess Popuri distracted me a little.”
Jack thought back to yesterday in the barn as he filled out several charts, writing down things such as the amount of fodder used, eggs laid, cost of medicine and milk produced.
He took another long slurp from his glass, and almost choked as a high pitched scream was heard.

[manuela]

I just read all 10 chapters, it's a awesome story are you going to continue? You should!

[Ember]

Nah, I'd actually forgotten about this. I wrote this back in September and gave up part way - my current project (non-HM-related) I've been working on for three months and is 100,000 words long... so I'm concentrating on that more than something as terrible as this. ._.

[Pickle]

I'm sure it's good, ember.

*is too lazy to read it at the moment*

Why did you stop, anyways?

And don't say it sucks.