Fall: Year One

A beautiful day gleamed above the trees. Wispy clouds stretched in the sky to give a touch of beautiful weather to the sun-filled sky. Birds gleefully took the time to savor this fleeting weather by dancing against the soft winds and having the setting sun silhouette their bodies. Autumn had just arrived, and it always took time before it could settle in. A perfect mix of weather always made it the perfect time to go out and enjoy the outside. Especially to watch the green leaves glow golden and shimmer against the sun like waves reflecting the same star.

But lower from the gorgeous atmosphere laid a scenery which had its own complex design. Evergreen trees drooped their mossy leaves with shyness while the ground was so mud-rich, you could barely tread on it. Twigs reached out and tried to grab ahold of anyone who dared enter the marshlands, and if that didn't stop them, surely the other dangers of creatures and quicksand would. This was no place for someone used to more “populated” areas. And Celeste learned of that quickly as tears burned her sight while she tried getting away from the barbed vines. “Get off get off!!” She yelled with both anger and sadness swirling in her veins. Her dress had not been ripped to shreds yet but the mud already soaked into the skirt after one pitfall in a...well, a mud pit. It was too difficult to see and she just wished this never had happened to her.

The hot salty tears dripped down and made a stream against her cheeks while she sniffled and weakly attempted to walk a new black terrain. However the moment she placed her small, dainty foot in to the gooey ground, it almost swallowed her up to the ankle before she scrambled away and crawled submissively into a large opening with thorns surrounding it as if to create a protective small hut. Her beautiful feather wings had to hug her arms in order to fit inside, but the den had her more relaxed. She took this time to cry softly, but with each tear and violently grabbed her own wrist. “Stop it…” She growled at herself and began to insult her own name the more the tears flowed.

An angel with true emotions. What a defect you are...Worthless and incapable of helping anyone. You are lucky we do not kill our own kind or else you would have been executed immediately. Her own voice in her mind gradiently turned into theirs when she remembered those were their words first. They looked down at her with disdain and disgust. The angels...her kin...they hated her. For centuries they regarded her the same way the minute she was created. A defect to their society. But it wasn't her choice…

“I am nothing…” Celeste said to herself with one last faint tear falling to the ground as she mumbled something for only herself to know and wish for. But right as she finished she heard a noise. No...a vibration. From the ground? Her furred hand pressed against the ground as she felt it again. It was a pattern of vibrations. Like a very slow heartbeat. Her eyes widened as she realized that those were indeed footsteps. Someone or something was coming.

A large figure pushed against the thinner trees and vines to shove them out of it’s way. Large prints were marked in the wet ground as she stared in awe at this being. She could not see the top of him, but she the body looked to be a large mashy hill. What in the gods’ names were sticking out of it? White stones? No, they looked too precise and shaped. Almost like bones…

Her breath abruptly stopped when the creature stepped on a twig right in front of her. The bundled thorns above gave her a good hiding place if one was merely standing and looking down at that angle. But anything else...she was doomed. Fur began to reach out from everywhere as if it wanted to flee from the scene but the body was too frozen to move. Her feathers ruffled in discontent while her heart drummed harder and harder. She wanted this thing to leave… Leave and never return.

For a moment it merely stood in front of her. As if to ponder something. It’s black coated legs reminded her of the swampy area she tried to trek through but was fruitless. But there was something else that made her both intrigued and confused. Why was there a somewhat cloth piece wrapped around the front of this living swamp hill?

She had been on her hands and knees to examine this before suddenly the monster kneeled down and faced her, eye to eye. The female wolf stared into the black sockets of its skull, where two glowing, yellow pupils targeted her golden sight. She was right before...it had bones sticking out of him with a skull head and a raised spine traveling down his back. But he also seemed to have a mossy coating on his shoulders and chest region like a natural shawl to help keep warm(?). It was...admittedly fascinating.

The swamp creature looked just as startled as she but finally it was the first to speak. “H-hi-” He began before cringing at the ring of the angel's scream. She began to throw rocks and sticks at the monster as a way of self defense while kicking up some mud to push herself further back. The “enemy” was shocked by this and tried to protect itself by using his arms to help cover his head and bowing to the ground to show he was no beast. The rocks merely bounced off his soft body and yet he whimpered each time one was thrown by her. She glared at him with anger and disdain before yelling, “Go on! Shoo! I'm no one’s dinner or someone you can tear to pieces, you evil thing you!” Another twig bonked his arm before rolling off.

“S-stop it! That hurts!” The monster protested while she didn't let up until finally it had to scoot farther away from her so that each aim missed and only landed in the muddy ground. It rested against a soggy tree, breathing heavily with disbelief at what happened. A few moments passed in the swamp with these two being quiet and distant, judging what the other exactly was and why they were here. Soon, Celeste gently poked only her head out of the den and asked quietly, “Did...did I hurt you?” Her voice was genuine and soft with a higher female voice to help bring her innocent and calming personality.

The marshy male blinked at this question, surprised that she would ask that. It then gave her a small smile before answering, “Nah...maybe the one on my head but you only threw little stuff.” It replied before trying again with introductions. “...My name is Jimmy. What's yours?”

The angel female hesitated before answering, “Celeste.” Her fur was a bit stained by mud, but for a anthro wolf, she was a beautiful sight. Her long flowing hair carried some leaves and her thin strapped flowy dress was also marked by the marshlands. Other than that only the gorgeous sheen of white fur could be seen. As well as the flicker of two feather white wings that completed the look. But her eyes… They were a dull yellow. It was as if her liveliness had been sucked away and her eyes proved it.

But Jimmy ignored it for the time being as he sat on his rump with his legs sticking out in front to get comfy. “Celeste, that's a really awesome name. But what are you doing here? Only hunters come around that kinda look like you.”

She let her eyes travel to look to the ground as she thought about this. Before long her body scooted out of the den so she sat in front of it on her knees. There was still five feet of distance between them, so it was safe enough. Instead, she mumbled slightly like a child who had just thrown a temper tantrum and was now telling what she wanted. “...I can't get passed the black stuff…”

Jimmy couldn't help but smile at her somewhat cute expression. He was somewhat puzzled at what she meant until he looked to his left and saw the thick black goo that acted as a river for her destination. He thought deeply of an idea to help this poor wolfess to reach her destination. “Hm….” He said aloud as Celeste watched him with perked ears. “I don't really know of any backup routes to go around this. And even if you walked around it,it would take weeks. I'm gonna guess you don't want that.” Celeste then shook her head rapidly before he chuckled and then suggested, “Well...I could offer you a lift on my back. It would be the fastest and you won't get the rest of you messy.”

“No! Never!” She barked this at him before backing away. Her ears flattened and she could feel her tail frizz up from the shock of that. “For all I know you could just be tricking me to then eat my bones or whatever!”

“Ew..yuck.” He grimaced at the thought while shaking his head. “I really am not trying to hurt you. I didn't attack you when you threw those rocks did I?” He had hoped that the point he made would help her trust him.

Celeste took a moment to take in this proof. And admittedly yes, she was the one who truly attacked. That feeling did not settle well in her stomach as she felt like her body ached from that feeling. Emotions were so foreign, but she new textbook definitions of them. Still, it was a weird experience. To distract herself, she brought up another point. “B-but you are basically a living swamp thing yourself! How can I know you won't dirty me up more? Or sink me in to your muddy body.” She eyed the milky bones sticking out of his arms with concern. There was no way of knowing what would happen.

Jimmy said nothing for a moment. Only trying to figure out what he could do to convince her otherwise. The bog monster crawled a bit closer with caution as the angel held up another rock and growled. “Hey, just stick out your foot.” He requested while Celeste shook her head rapidly. He continued. “Please just hear me out. If you press your foot against me, you can see that I won't get you messy or absorb you.”

Dare she try? The angel still did not trust a monster to rub against her pure white fur. It was bad enough that there were spots of stained light brown patterning her limbs. She gazed longingly at the other side of the bog river. It was just on her grasp and yet she had to take a risk. Her eyes glanced back at the glowing yellow ones that waited for her to choose, patiently. Why was he so nice? What was his angle?

She squinted at him for a moment or two before gently holding out her canine foot. Dirt was caked on her sole and little specks of pebbles were wedged in the spaces on her toes. It looked as though she had been walking for a long time now. And it must have been a little painful.

Jimmy had some pity for this poor female. She didn't have the proper equipment to venture in the wild. Not to mention, something about her...It made him see her as a vulnerable spirit who was afraid of what surrounded her. Almost like a child stranded in the forest with no one to help. Except he was there. And he would make sure she was taken care of and helped across the way to wherever she ventured next.

He made sure to slowly reach towards the foot so no sudden movements made her cower. He laughed quietly and nervously as she held a sharper looking rock to pose as a threat. Soon the warm of his hand brushed against her heel and she shivered at the feeling. Celeste stayed quiet while she watched him feel the soft jelly-bean pads on her. It felt oddly comforting the way he touched. But it was also very fascinated that the mud on her foot was sucked away. Even some rocks were pulled out too just from him sweeping his hand on her.

The swamp creature stopped and stared at the angel with a sheepish smile. “There...does that prove at least one worry wrong?” He had hoped it meant no more rocks were to be thrown as well.

Celeste pulled herself out of the thorny hut while standing up. She was a bit tall, but nothing compared to Jimmy’s hulking mass of a body. Her own had well defined female curves which showed off even in her ragged “Cinderella-esque” dress. And despite the mud splotches, her fur was well groomed and a snowy white.

When she tilted her head up to look at him, she gulped before nodding, begrudgingly accepting the help. “O-okay...fine. Please carry me to the other side.”

And with that, she was lifted on to the squishy back of Jimmy before he began to trudge through the black ooze. It was interesting to watch her limbs sink into his swamp coating. But before she panicked, she felt her body finally hit something solid. And besides, it was only limbs that stuck. It was like safety glue! She giggled to herself for thinking of that before her smile changed back to her straight face while looking around the swamp. She had gotten used to the smell, but being so close to Jimmy brought back some wafts of what must have been a sewage scent.

Jimmy however, was happy enough to meet someone so contrasting to the swamp. Never had there been any female wolves with such a glowing aura. He didn't even mind that she wasn't too fond of him. But hey, maybe some time in the future it would change.

“See? It's not that bad once you hitch a ride on a giant being.” He laughed heartily, enjoying how the light poured from the spaces that the leaves could not cover. There were only very rare times that Jimmy could find terrain high enough for him to see the clear, crisp skies. Nonetheless, he loved it anyway. But nothing could beat rain. The way it moistened the grounds and created puddles. Also quenching the thirst of nature in order for it to bloom. It was all so magical.

Celeste nodded slightly and stared at a lone yellow butterfly which landed on the black nub that her nose was. This world...it was much more alive than she thought. So different from her own. She cracked a tiny smile. “I can see why you love this earth so much...it is very vibrant and lively.”

“Oh yeah! For sure!” He chuckled as he turned his head only slightly to watch from the corner of his eye at how she went cross-eyed from staring at an insect. His smile remained, then he had a great idea. “Hey, I actually wanna show you something. Can we take a small detour down this other black river?”

The female hesitated for a moment before nodding with curiosity. “S-sure.” She stammered with a bit of uneasiness. Jimmy took that answer anyway and began to swerve right at the fork in road. The way he moved in the thick, tar-like swamp...he made it so easy to do. It reminded her of how graceful and free she was in the air. How she yearned to taste the high sunshine and rub her feathers against misty clouds.

“This must be your home, yes?” Celeste asked as her soft padded hand gently stroked the smooth bone on his head. Her head tilted with curious fascination at how almost fragile it felt to her. However, it was more likely to be even sturdier than her. She then pulled her hand away when the giant monster let a small shiver run down his body from it.

“Um...well yeah.” Jimmy answered with a sheepish, but complex tone to his voice. As he chuckled, the angel could tell there was more to this story than he let on. Yet that is a tale for another time. Plus, she didn't want to pry or make him upset. He was her way out of the murky biome.

When the two reached the grassy bank, weeping willows bowed down to Celeste as she opened her wings to flutter off his back and then plopped down on the soft bedding. She winced in small agony from that small flight. It was no good...she had been flying so much that her wings tore a few muscles after exhaustion. She would have to wait to fly again.

Celeste watched with her eyebrows raised when Jimmy grunted and slowly began to pull himself out of the muck that he didn't mind traveling in. Celeste had to tilt her head up for their eyes to meet while Jimmy was doing the opposite; looking down. He rubbed the back of his head with his thickened arm and asked her merely, “What is it?”

“Oh...nothing!” Celeste said while giving only a hint of a smile. The skull monster shrugged it off before stomping (unintentionally) ahead of her and making sure to use his brute strength to push down anything that may have hindered the path. The quiet angel followed behind with a grateful, hidden smile.

She didn't want to tell him, but she was actually happy he came along. No one had ever shown her such kindness while not minding what she was. Jimmy also seemed glad to have her company..which is a first for her. Especially with a large, hulking swamp mass with a skull head. It was very interesting and the thought of all this send small tingles to rain down her feet.

Before she could have the chance of running away, Jimmy smiled and grabbed the delicate female to place on his shoulder with his arm acting as the seat belt. When he felt her fur ruffled and puff out, he reassured her, “I just wanna show you something cool! I promise you won't regret it!”

The lady began to calm down while patiently waiting from atop his shoulder. Up ahead, a sloped, flat rock was resting. It was like a stone sword that stabbed the earth while the hilt of it pierced through the tall trees and opened a perfect, rounded opening for pure sunshine to flow through without being filtered by the leaves. Jimmy began to climb his way on the stone. He heaved and clenched his teeth while trying to grip on to side of the stone with one hand and using his feet to propel him up for a boost. Celeste was watching with an impressed mouth in awe. Before she could ask if he wanted some help, her head popped out and the world could be seen instead of the swamps. Her breathe was still...eyes shimmering a watery gold.

The fiery star changed the world to look warmer. Golden tops of the trees basked in the glory of the sun before it became night while the clouds thinly drifted away carry hues of cotton candy pink. From afar, what looked to be a blue snake, was a river that had wiggled its way between the forest and rested there. Celeste then could feel a chill run passed her neck as gusts of air picked up a few traveling leaves while the danced and twirled away from the two so they could better travel this Autumn day. “Its beautiful…” Celeste whispered while her hand squeezed his shoulder tight. Seeing that as approval, Jimmy smiled warmly at her, only to have his eyes drift back to the amazing scenery that dazzled them. “I always have been looking for high places to watch the sun set. The forest actually looks really good!” Little did they realize the wind was carrying something a bit unsettling.

“Well why not live in the woods? I could see the appeal.” She commented, thinking about if she could really live in a forest and manage on her own. Finally being her true self and not having to hide it…

“Nah.” He shook his head while answering. “I like the woods and all...But it's not for me. I actually thrive better in the muck.”

“Do you have any family? Friends?”

“Nope...not really.”

“Why is that?”

“I just can't remember them ever since…” He then closed his jaw and went back to watching the sun as his eyes looked up to see a gray cloud barging its way into the view. But Celeste was more focused on gazing down and trying to read his face. She felt uncomfortable trying to comfort him...yet she wanted to try.

“You know I-” A large crack of a lightning whip had the angel gasp and tilting over from the shock. She could feel her paralyzed body slowly ready to plummet before Jimmy cried out, “Celeste!” and thankfully grabbed the girl's wrist so that she was only dangling above her death.

“H-hold on!” He grabbed the rest of her to place on his back. “I'll find us a place to stay!”

It was still early evening as the rain drenched all of the soil and heavily watered the plants. The constant tapping of raindrops on giant leaves had Celeste go in a small daydream trance while she shivered from her completely wet dress. The two of them could not outrun the storm, so Jimmy could only find a small patch of green to use as the dry, safe spot. It wasn't great, but it did stop 90% of the rain hitting against her cold, wet fur. She sniffled and jumped each time a clap of thunder mischievously spooked her. Her huddled body cowered against the rocky wall covered in plants as a familiar treading sound appeared from her right. She glanced up to see Jimmy with his glowing yellow eyes watching her before handing her a large travel backpack. “Here!” He said happily. “I found this cool pack just to the left of here. It's abandoned but there's some clean clothes in there.”

Naturally Celeste didn't want to use other people's clothes...however her dress was in tatters and she was cold beyond belief. Giving a silent “thank you”, she took the bag and unzipped it. It revealed a striped, elbow sleeved shirt and a pair of jeans to go with it. They looked to be in her size.

“Close your eyes.” Celeste said and right when he used his hands to cover them, she slipped the tatters off her curvaceous body before trying on the clean, warm clothes. A perfect fit! She smiled at the luck that was. When he removed his hands, he didn't say anything. He stared down at the angel wolf with an awed look on his face. As his eyes traveled to scan her from everywhere, she looked up to see him and asked, “What?”

Jimmy looked away with embarrassment. “N-nothing!” He replied as he then heard another strike of thunder rumble behind the wall. Celeste cried out while holding herself and shivering..this time not from the cold.

Before she knew what was happening, a large presence engulfed her from behind as Jimmy wrapped his body around her and gave out a soft sigh. Normally, Celeste would have just screamed and pushed away, but his warmth helped stop her shivered and if another lightning strike hit, she would just bury herself deeper in his coat. Neither said anything. They merely let the raindrops and plants chatter away to create a soothing sound. She stared ahead while thinking to herself before her lip began to tremble and tears flowed down.

“Wha...why are you crying?” Jimmy asked with concern as he watched the angel in his arms.

“I just…. I just don't understand why I'm so weak…” Celeste responded with a hoarse voice. The monster did not say anything. He merely hugged her tighter while only her head was the only thing that wasn't being smothered by his care. She let out a soft sigh and grew to enjoy him doing it. She nuzzled her wings and back against the broad,murky chest of Jimmy's before her tired eyes drooped down and brought her to restful sleep.

Before he joined her, he leaned over to brush his cheek against hers while whispered ever so softly, “You aren't weak…” Jimmy then lifted himself back up and held her right before drifting to sleep as well.

~°~°~°~

This is a story based off the amazing drawing I got from Bern! If he likes it I may write more!

Art and Jimmy © by  BernHerbys

Story and Celeste © by  MissCelFalore