the white flame

He stands with his fingertips spaced lightly on the table, shrouded in stillness. He is caught in the immensity of what he observes - the widened eyes, the sharpening focus. Luke’s story clicks into place like god’s own timepiece. Islwyn’s lips curve in pleasant surprise, eyes creasing with the subtle shift of his features, and he utters a soft laugh as he glances demurely down.  He does not move to look up again: a clear, lilting forbearance that smacks entirely of a knowing coyness. 

Mildly, he remarks, ‘ That which is most sacrosanct  is most weighted in dialectics. ’  Hideous irony - to divide that which is indivisible, inviolable. Hubris. But it permits a playful badinage, light jokes quietly tucked into the exegesis. He watches the seeking gaze, too, with no small pride.  Islwyn is flush with it, ignorant of it, as he follows Luke’s intent examination with hungry eyes.

Yet he smiles ruefully, acknowledging. ‘ Yes. Such as they are. ’ And his scrutiny yaws, focus sliding into narrowed interest.  He cants his head, eyes bright with strigid intensity. He does not hurry away his silence. It does not present as the death of companionship, casting disease of an uneasy pall.  At length, he eases back against the slatted wood, hands palmed flat together, loosely fastening his gaze to the thin white scar on the inner flesh of his upper palm. He runs his thumb against the faded seam, and smiles thoughtfully.

‘ ...I may render the text more amenable to you.  If you’ll allow. ’

      Self remembered. Impotent mask back to bore. Fingers, thick at knuckle’d bone ( cold did diligently pry ; death’s lips unforgotten ) take hold of remembrance’s bane. Script and pen, noted hand, leaving history’s child forebear upon wooden slab.

   How surgical ;         To REMOVE the automatous          Leave only the ancient ( the true )

                  Scoffing breath,                words steep in poignant air              left silent.

       “ As if thought alone would render us monstrous. ”

Recalcitrant lip recede as tides to teeth ; corpse snarl of body abandoned -- arms, coiling snakes, hinged over sternal cage. White ‘neath clarion body ; as gore-shrouded soul rended from animate shackle.

           Should he still retain such a thing.

White creature, dost thou bleed ? What did God divert from thee to leave thee albicant and sallow ?

Sinks in silence, the machinations of self preponderance an ample distraction. Coquelicot strands line sleepless eye, paltry annoyance -- hand ( held steadfast by wearied brother ) find familiar home ; framed Maxilla , senescence impress swirling proof of thumb and forefinger where none other might find them.

Words break not the trance, only inspire arm to return to pair round coarse cloth. Stillness roosting in idle breaths, not yet inspired to flight. Could play across grand scales ; but poignant eyes too easily find feinted edges.  Machinations are his own, not left to echo where ears do lean to listen. Best left to laconic bride.

        “ Yes, but another time. ”

Time’s mistress ticks on ; hand to ledger, arm to strap. Pale fingers find own, pulled to shoulder . Height left to tower though eyes do not hunt for affiliate gaze.

    How can something so modest hold absolute? Untold and immeasurable, strikes yearning captured between bitter teeth. Stalwart walls stand watch, red rimmed from stygian terrors, weighted chain of things left unsaid, undone.

    Why this Peace? Pleasant sigh canary caught in a costae cage, beating rhythm of second and four. Head turns, atrous frame glow blue like starlings.

                    Shit.

    Blue eyes dart to abandoned study, hiding change in cinerious skin ‘neath aged parchment, edges frayed like the remains of adolescent delusions.

     So aware of HER.          Movement                  Under glass          Scrutinized.

    Eyes return to window, hair caught on blouse rivets obsidian stream, pale green too bright, better red to match lips, pursed in boredom. Round jaw sets, sculpture fingers under chin with an intimacy he only possesses in dreams,

            he is changed,                          better,                          WHOLE.    

    What are you thinking about?  What of this secret world behind dark eyes? What perceptions creep unceasing into that ever cold glance ? Blooms in untended graveyard.

    Return in earnest now, long notes in careful loops, quill scratching resonance ( fleeing swallow heartbeats ). Foolish preoccupation, no time for daydreams long past.

     Too deep this contemplation, the careful creature misses FRIEND’S interference. Matched black for black in that same careful coldness. He thinks them dyad, irony of likeness -- two festooning threads clutching BEAST to unwelcome humanity. Sees not the hand directed to meticulously chosen alcove.

     “ UPPERCLASSMAN. ” Eyes widen, black ink slips from gilded edge, bespatter kine to this disarming gaze.

             Fuck.

      Behind her Judas’s eye, prudent smile stretch a declaration, paired with a nod leaving no doubt of Brutus’s meddling. This is why white wigged forefathers threw tea into the bay. “ Hmm. ” Rime digits curl, choking on dignity’s bitter cousin.

     “ May I sit ? ” Knows too well the weight of an attentive eye. Appraisal in cruel, unwavering, neutrality.

      “ Of course. ” Disinterest’s miasma, arsenic on yellowed doilies. She sits,  a masterpiece of mindful grace, to frame himself. Books, careful calligraphy. Agitation. Concentration shattered in the scent of cherry blossoms, jasmine tea.

         Paleness fades to gradient.                          Edge of lip                 Press of brow.

       Prismatic life. Palms etch scratched grain, overuse pressed to pore.  Eyes lift, catch, lingering glance. Permafrost splits, a glacial divide. Rictus smile, betraying plasticity in azure. “ Let me know if you need any help. ” What limitless invitation.

         She nods, framing the figure of fate’s companion, ( mocking grin mercifully absent ), “ Thank you, upperclassman.”

tagging: @dalishfreckles @selkieborn @ofrevas @omnipotcnt

COLOURS !

black. white. teal. silver. gold. gray. lilac. metallic. matte. royal blue. strawberry red. charcoal grey. forest green. apple red. violet. navy blue. crimson. cream. mint green. bubblegum pink. sky blue. pale jade. pale yellow.

ELEMENTS !

fire. ice. water. air. earth. rain. snow. wind. sun. heat. cold. steam. frost. lightning. sunlight. moonlight. dawn. dusk. moon. stars. twilight. midnight. sunrise. sunset. dewdrops.

BODY !

claws. long fingers. fangs. teeth. wings. tails. lips. bare feet. neck. shoulders. legs.freckles. unseen bruises. canines. scars. scratches. wounds. burns. fingernails. spikes. feathers. webs. eyes. hands. sweat. tears. feline grace. chubby. curvy. short. tall. normal height. muscular. piercing. tattoos. athletic. hair. fur. sleek.

WEAPONS !

fists. legs. sword. dagger. spear. lance. bow & arrow. hammer. shield. poison. guns. axes. throwing axes. whips. knives. throwing knives. pepper sprays. tasers. machine guns. slingshots. katanas. maces. staffs. wands. powers. magical items. magic. rocks. mud balls. claws. teeth. stealth. strategy. forehead kitchen knife. hammer. maul.

NATURE !

grass. leaves. trees. bark. roses. daisies. sunflowers. tulips. lavender. petals. seeds. hay. sand. underwater. coral reef. rocks. roots. flowers. fungi. ocean. river. frozen lake. meadow. valley. forest. desert. tundra. savanna. rain forest. caves. beach. waves. space. clouds. mountains. snow. mist. pond. shadows.

ANIMALS !

big cats. wolves. foxes. eagles. owls. falcons. hawks. swans. snakes. turtles. ducks. bugs. spiders. birds. whales. dolphins. fish. sharks. horses. cats. dogs. bunnies.penguins. crows. ravens. mice. lizards. werewolves. unicorns. pegasus. dragons.monkeys.

FOODS/DRINKS !

sugar. salt. candy. bubblegum. wine. champagne. hard liquor. vodka. beer. coffee. sake. tea. spices. herbs. apples. orange. lemon. cherry. strawberry. watermelon. vegetables. fruits. meat. fish. pies. desserts. chocolate. lollies. cream. caramel. berries. nuts. cinnamon. burgers. surf ‘n’ turf. burritos. pizza. ambrosia. eggs. milk.

HOBBIES !

music. art. watercolors. gardening. smithing. sculpting. painting. sketching. fighting. writing. composing. cooking. baking. sewing. training. dancing. acting. singing. martial arts. self-defence. war tactics. electronics. technology. cameras. video cameras. video games. computer. phone. movies. theatre. libraries. books. magazines. cds. records. vinyls. cassettes. piano. strings. violin. guitar. electric guitar. bass guitar. harmonica. harp. woodwinds. brass. flute. bells. exploring. playing cards. poker chips. chess. dice. motorcycle riding. eating. sleeping. climbing. running. jogging. parkour. studying. traveling.

STYLE !

lingerie. armour. cape. dress. tunic. vest. shirt. boots. ankle boots. heels. leggings. trousers. jeans. skirt. jewelry. earrings. necklace. bracelet. ring. pendant. ball cap. beanie hat. crown. circlet. helmet. scarf. brocade. cloaks. corsets. doublet. chest plate. gorget. bracers. belt. sash. coat. jacket. hood. gloves. socks. masks. mittens. cowls. braces. watches. glasses. sunglasses. straw hat. visor. eye contacts. makeup. ribbons. hoodie. sweater. converse. tennis shoes. boxers. briefs. boxer briefs. shorts. cargo.cropped pants. crop top. cuffed pants.

MISC !