* DEATH / DECAY.

the following prompts were taken from the novel deathless by catherynne m. valente, an american novelist & poet. the novel was loosely based on the tale of koschei the deathless, incorporating other elements of russian mythology, & setting it against the backdrop of the russian revolution. feel free to change the pronouns / prompts as you see fit, but be warned – below the cut, it’s quite long !

❛ the service of your body is not yours to give as you please. ❜

❛ you probably won’t survive. ❜

❛ go. run. don’t look behind you. ❜

❛ i have come for the girl in the window. ❜

❛ i will never be without information. ❜

❛ i will see him with his skin off before i fall in love. ❜

❛ if the world is divided into seeing & not seeing, i will always choose to see. ❜

❛ secrets are jealous things, permitting no fraternization. ❜

❛ no, it’s not like that, when magic comes. ❜

❛ magic does that. it wastes you away. once it grips you by the ear, the world gets quieter & quieter until you can hardly hear it at all. ❜

❛ the sight of it bruised my heart so that i cannot think about anything else. ❜

❛ i’ll be so quiet, i’ll never talk again. ❜

❛ keep me & obey me, for i am your husband, & i can destroy you. ❜

❛ i shall be clever, & i shall not let him go. ❜

❛ it is a new world, & we do not wish to be left behind. ❜

FALL INTO YOUR ARMS

❝ you don’t listen to me anymore. ❞ ❝ your voice is a weapon, and we’ll do with it what we can. ❞ ❝ i’ll fall into your arms again. ❞

BITE DOWN

❝ you don’t have to look any further. ❞ ❝ i’ve been waiting here for you for a time. ❞ ❝ you’re missing what is right before your eyes. ❞ ❝ no one’s gonna stick the pieces together for you. ❞ ❝ you’ve got your claws buried deep. ❞ ❝ you better sink your teeth before i disappear. ❞ ❝ i’m trying to keep my composure. ❞ ❝ you’ve been looking me over. ❞ ❝ i’m tired of waving my arms in the back of the line. ❞ ❝ there are only so many times that i can come running. ❞ ❝ and there are only so many times that i can come running for you. ❞

BAD NEWS

❝ what do you say? ❞ ❝ air knocked out of my lungs, your cue to stay. ❞ ❝ yeah, that’s your cue to stay. ❞ ❝ don’t turn your back on me. ❞ ❝ don’t bury your head deep just cause you don’t know what to say. ❞ ❝ it’s true that it kicks you in the teeth when you are least expecting. ❞ ❝ oh it beats you black and blue before you see it coming. ❞ ❝ bad news like a sucker punch threw me away. ❞ ❝ people fill the streets like nothing has changed. ❞ ❝ they don’t look the same. ❞ ❝ maybe i just want some words of distraction. ❞ ❝ i feel like i’m being consumed. ❞ ❝ maybe i’m expecting the perfect reaction to pull me back. ❞

THE DRIVER

❝ shout out from the bottom of my lungs. ❞ ❝ this thing. it’s a family affair. ❞ ❝ it’s drawing out my weakness. ❞ ❝ there was a time when a moment like this wouldn’t ever cross my mind. ❞ ❝ the sun will rise with my name on your lips. ❞ ❝ ‘cause everything will change tonight. ❞ ❝ i want to be back on the ground where my feet touch my shadow. ❞ ❝ i want to dig my heels in the dirt, feel it break between all my toes. ❞ ❝ anything to stop floating ‘round. ❞ ❝ take breath and push the anger down. ❞ ❝ try to remember calmness.  ❞ ❝ what’s the gravity upon your face? ❞ ❝ so i’m the one who’s bleeding. ❞ ❝ real men. always thinking with y/our fists. ❞ ❝ my turn to be the victim. ❞

AXE TO GRIND

❝ long lost opinions, all the words you can’t redeem. ❞ ❝ don’t come round here and be a slave to old ideas. ❞ ❝ scream hallelujah if it’s a thing that helps you breathe. ❞ ❝ your iron rule has often had me on my knees. ❞ ❝ you better sharpen up ‘cause all you have is your axe to grind round here.  ❞ ❝ breaking the silence like i’m bursting at the seams. ❞ ❝ so many stifled thoughts and long forgotten dreams. ❞ ❝ i can almost taste reprieve. ❞ ❝ keep on talking to yourself. ❞ ❝ 'cause no one needs to hear the words your read. ❞ ❝ 'cause you’re gonna have to swing that axe round here. ❞

TORN APART PT. I & II

❝ i could only be myself with you around. ❞ ❝ and now there’s nothing left for me to think about. ❞ ❝ and it hurts like hell. ❞ ❝ we were born to be together, torn apart. ❞ ❝ you stepped with a heavy tread and left your mark. ❞ ❝ oh, you left your mark on me. ❞ ❝ it hurts like hell to be torn apart, to be thrown around. ❞ ❝ my yin and yang is killin’ me. ❞ ❝ gotta get back, back to the synergy. ❞ ❝ don’t forget where i been. ❞ ❝ but you’re gonna remember. ❞ ❝ buddy i, i don’t mean to kill your vibe. ❞ ❝ but if you got it, you get it, and i’ve been gettin’ this shit for a long time. ❞ ❝ happiness only brings heartache. ❞ ❝ i’m so beyond naughty. ❞ ❝ and if you don’t like it then why do you want me? ❞ ❝ don’t front if i tickle the strings on your heart. ❞ ❝ you play second fiddle to my instrumental. ❞ ❝ your critical nature departs in the middle of all of my riddles. ❞ ❝ you’ve given up trying, and now you just tear me apart. ❞

WEAPON

❝ this is a vocal confession. ❞ ❝ right now your cause is at war. ❞ ❝ right now your voice is a weapon. ❞ ❝ watch all the storms on the rise. ❞ ❝ no more falling to pressure. ❞ ❝ no more failing acceptance. ❞ ❝ throw all your hells towards the heavens. ❞ ❝ we dance with the devils and make your halos the color of sinners’ portraits. ❞ ❝ and smothering it means everything’s lovely again. ❞ ❝ nothing’s quite as it seems. ❞ ❝ society’s altered, you see. ❞ ❝ kill all your fear in your sleep. ❞ ❝ cause everything’s formed in a dream. ❞ ❝ breathe in insanity’s grip. ❞ ❝ those are words from insanity’s lips. ❞ ❝ we’re falling from sanity’s cliff. ❞ ❝ you’re watching your vanity slip. ❞ ❝ run before the evil erupts. ❞ ❝ this is volcanic feverish lust. ❞ ❝ vengeance is me speaking up. ❞ ❝ this is me speaking up. ❞ ❝ choose your words and etch them on your soul. ❞ ❝ make them heard when crowds drown out your call. ❞ ❝ leave behind your questions, silent thoughts and mentions. ❞ ❝ a wake has to be left, so never falter down. ❞ ❝ so do with it what you can. ❞

REMAINS

Below you will find quotes taken directly or paraphrased from the movie 'Labyrinth'. You know, the one starring David Bowie's bulge. Send in one of the following to see how my muse reacts:

❝ I ask for so little. ❞

❝ Just let me rule you, and you can have everything that you want. ❞

❝ Just fear me, love me - do as I say and I will be your slave.❞

❝ You remind me of the babe. ❞

❝ That’s not fair! ❞

❝ Give me the child. ❞

❝ You say that so often, I wonder what your basis for comparison is? ❞

❝ I have been generous up ‘til now; I can be cruel. ❞

❝ You cowered before me, I was frightening. ❞

❝ I have reordered time; I have turned this world upside down, and I have done it all for you! ❞

❝ I am exhausted from living up to your expectations. ❞

❝ Isn’t that generous? ❞

❝ Your mother is a fraggin’ aardvark! ❞

❝ Everything I’ve done, I’ve done for you. ❞

❝ I move the stars for no one. ❞

❝ Your eyes can be so cruel. ❞

❝ If she ever kisses you, I’ll turn you into a prince. ❞

❝ If he ever kisses you, I’ll turn you into a princess. ❞

❝ You’re him, aren’t you? ❞

❝ You’re her, aren’t you? ❞

❝ My will is as strong as yours, and my kingdom as great. ❞

❝ You have no power over me. ❞

❝ How you turn my world, you precious thing. ❞

❝ Well then, come on, which way? ❞

❝ Which way do you want to go, hm? ❞

❝ Was that wrong? ❞

❝ I’ve brought you a gift. ❞

❝ But if you turn it this way and look into it, it will show you your dreams. ❞

❝ In nine hours and twenty-three minutes…you’ll be mine. ❞

❝ Where you goin’ with a head like that? ❞

❝ No, I said ‘allo’, but that’s close enough. ❞

❝ It’s only forever, not long at all. ❞

❝ All right then, throw down your weapons, and I’ll see that you’re well-treated. ❞

❝ Don’t tell me truth hurts, because it hurts like hell. ❞

❝ No one can blame you for walking away. ❞

❝ I don’t know why, but every now and again in my life - for no reason at all - I need you. ❞

❝ The way forward is sometimes the way back. ❞

❝ It’s very rude to stare! ❞

❝ What did you have to go and do a thing like that for? ❞

❝ What’d you expect fairies to do? ❞

❝ What’s the matter, my dear, don’t like your toys? ❞

❝ There’s such a sad love, deep in your eyes. ❞

❝ I’ll place the sky within your eyes. ❞

❝ What kind of magic spell to use? ❞

❝ I’ll paint you mornings of gold. ❞

❝ I’ll spin you Valentine evenings. ❞

❝ I’ll be there for you as the world falls down. ❞

❝ We’re choosing the path between the stars. ❞

❝ I’ll leave my love between the stars. ❞

❝ How you turned my world, you precious thing. ❞

❝ You starve and near exhaust me. ❞

❝ I do believe in you. ❞

❝ I live without the sunlight. ❞

❝ I love without your heartbeat. ❞

Do not boast, old woman. Your death sits in that cage, and she hears you.

Suppose they’re hiding together… somewhere far away? What if they’re waiting for me? In need of my help? … I must go quickly, and come back as soon as I can.

Don’t look back, and don’t run. You must never run from anything immortal; it attracts their attention.

I can never regret. I can feel sorrow, but it’s not the same thing.

I can feel this body dying all around me!

But, I am always dreaming, even when I’m awake; it is never finished.

Everything dies! I want to die when YOU die!

_____, who am I? Why am I here? What is it that I am seeking in this strange place, day after day? I knew a moment ago, but I have forgotten.

Once, I can’t remember, I was long ago, someone strange. I was innocent and wise, and full of pain.

It’s a very rare person who is taken for what he truly is.

Be rary of wousing a wizard’s wrath — rousing a rizard’s — Be wary of making a magician angry, if I chose, I could turn you into a frog!

Oh, God! I’m engaged to a Douglas fir!

Don’t cry. If you have become human enough to cry, then all the magic in the world cannot change you back.

She will remember your heart when men are fairy tales, and books are written by rabbits.

You are losing my interest, and that is very dangerous.

What is the matter with your eyes? Why can I not see myself, in your eyes?

I know you! I almost knew you as soon as I saw you on the road coming to my door. Since then, there is no movement of yours that has not betrayed you! A pace, a glance, a turn of the head, the flash of your throat as you breathe… even your way of standing perfectly still — they were all my spies!

Do you still deny yourself? Do you dare still pretend to be human? I’ll hurl you down to the others with my own hands if you dare deny yourself!

Set me free. We are sisters, you and I.

_____, I would not be you for all the world. You have let your doom in by the front door, but it will not depart that way!

Creatures of night, brought to light.

No cat out of its first fur was ever deceived by appearances, unlike human beings, who seem to enjoy it.

A clock isn’t time; it’s just numbers and springs. Pay it no mind.

Say my name then. If you know my name, tell it to me.

Tell me what you see. Don’t be afraid. Look at your fellow legends and tell me what you see.

I know you. If I were blind, I would know what you are.

Do nothing ’til you hear from me.

Oh, she’ll kill me one day or another. But she will remember forever that I caught her; I held her prisoner. So there’s my immortality, eh?

Now, you were out on the road, hunting for your own death, and I know where it awaits you.

You know better… Keep your poor shadows, if you will, but let me go, and, let her go. I cannot see her caged. She is real, like me. We are two sides of the same magic…

Who are you for then? Do you think those fools knew you, without any help from me?

Take me with you, for luck, for laughs, for the unknown…

You may come with me, if you like, though I wish you’d asked for some other reward for having freed me.

No, it can’t be. Can it be? Where have you been? Where have you been? Damn you! Where have you been?

And where were you twenty years ago? Ten years ago? Where were you when I was new?

The magic chose the shape, not I. I am a bearer, I am a dwelling, I am a messenger…

Why won’t you help me? Why must you always speak in riddles?

No cat anywhere, ever gave anyone a straight answer.

There is nothing I can look at for very long, except the sea.

Trouble me, please, trouble me! I would court you with more grace, if I knew how. I only wish you wanted something of me…

Drown out my dreams! Keep me from remembering, whatever wants me to remember it!

There are no happy endings, because nothing ends.

Do something! You have the power! I will kill you if you don’t do something.

Not all the magic in the world can help her now.

I wish I could see her just once more, so I could tell her all that’s in my heart. She will never know what I really meant to say.

Well, men don’t always know when they’re happy. But I — I think so. And you?